This winter, the Baltimore Orioles seem to have been linked with almost every available starter on the market. Framber Valdez. Zac Gallen. And now, a new name has been added to the list — Lucas Giolito.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Giolito is a target the Orioles are “seriously considering.” This might raise some eyebrows. Giolito isn’t a top-tier ace. Nor does he have the same aura as he did in Chicago. But from Mike Elias’s perspective, this interest is starting to make much more sense.
The key isn’t the name. It’s the… qualifying offer.
Unlike Valdez or Gallen — who declined the qualifying offer and consequently lost their draft capital — Giolito doesn’t carry that burden. For the Orioles, a revenue-sharing team, signing a player with a Quarter-Out (QO) means losing their third-highest pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Given Baltimore’s success built on drafts and internal development, this is no small detail.
Giolito, therefore, becomes an attractive alternative.
On the court, he just had a 2025 season that should have dispelled doubts. After missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, Giolito returned with a 10–4 record, a 3.41 ERA on 145 innings and 121 strikeouts. Not a dominant ace—but a reliable starter who can rack up innings and not cause rotation collapse.
That’s exactly what the Orioles are looking for.
Baltimore doesn’t lack young talent. But they’ve seen too clearly the risks of placing too much pressure on players who haven’t played 162 games. A veteran like Giolito brings stability, tempo, and experience—things that don’t show up on the charts but are crucial throughout the long season.
So does this mean the Orioles have given up on Valdez?
Not necessarily.
Many reports still suggest Baltimore is in the race for Valdez’s signature, even as the market for the left-fielder cools. Vague rumors about the San Francisco Giants only complicate the picture further. And in an offseason that drags on longer than expected, having a Plan B isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a calculated move.
Giolito could be that insurance.
If Valdez unexpectedly signs elsewhere, the Orioles can’t enter the spring with an unsecured rotation. And if Valdez’s price is no longer a factor Elias is willing to pay—both in cash and draft pick—then Giolito becomes the “less risky” option, in line with the front office philosophy. It’s worth noting that the Orioles haven’t stopped there. Whether they choose Valdez or Giolito, the overall signal is clear — Baltimore isn’t satisfied with the status quo. They’re still looking to upgrade their rotation, and they’re not in a hurry to sign just to appease public opinion.
For fans, this can be tiring. Another name. Another rumor. But among the many names that have been mentioned this winter, Lucas Giolito stands out for a very Orioles reason: he could be signed without jeopardizing his future.
The question now isn’t whether Giolito is the best option. Rather, in a winter where every draft pick is scrutinized, what will the Orioles prioritize — the highest performance ceiling, or the path with the least loss?
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