Justin Verlander to the Orioles? Why Baltimore Could Be a Surprise Fit for the Veteran Ace in 2026

At first glance, Justin Verlander joining the Baltimore Orioles may not seem like an obvious pairing. Baltimore has spent the past several seasons building a young, dynamic roster designed for long-term success, while Verlander—one of the most accomplished pitchers in modern MLB history—is nearing his 43rd birthday.

Yet as the 2026 MLB offseason unfolds, the idea of Verlander in an Orioles uniform is gaining quiet momentum. Despite his age, recent performance trends, front-office connections, and Baltimore’s evolving competitive window all suggest that this potential union may make more sense than many initially assumed.

Justin Verlander Isn’t Finished Yet

Age is typically the first—and loudest—argument against signing a pitcher approaching his mid-40s. However, Verlander continues to defy conventional aging curves.

Over his final 13 starts of the 2025 season, Verlander posted an impressive 2.60 ERA, demonstrating that his command, pitch mix, and competitiveness remain intact. While he no longer logs 200-inning seasons, his ability to deliver quality outings in meaningful games remains valuable—especially for a contending team.

For Baltimore, which is transitioning from “promising” to “pressure to win,” reliability matters as much as upside.

Verlander may not be an ace in the traditional sense anymore, but he is far from a liability.

Mike Elias Connection Could Matter

One of the most compelling factors in this discussion is Verlander’s relationship with Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias.

Elias was part of the Houston Astros’ front office during 2017 and 2018, overlapping with Verlander during some of the most successful seasons of his career. That familiarity matters, particularly when evaluating veteran pitchers whose value extends beyond raw performance.

Elias knows:

• How Verlander prepares

• How he impacts a clubhouse

• How his leadership influences young players

Those intangibles are difficult to quantify but often become critical for teams with postseason aspirations.

How Verlander Fits Into Baltimore’s Rotation

If the Orioles were to sign Verlander, the projected 2026 rotation would look deeper—and steadier—than many might expect.

With Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish likely headlining the staff, Baltimore would have several arms competing for rotation spots behind them:

• Shane Baz

• Dean Kremer

• Zach Eflin

• Justin Verlander

In that context, Verlander wouldn’t be asked to carry the staff. Instead, he would serve as a stabilizing presence—someone capable of providing 15–20 quality starts, preserving the bullpen, and offering consistency during long stretches of the season.

For a team managing innings limits and injury histories among younger arms, that role carries real value.

Leadership and Clubhouse Impact

Baltimore’s roster is young, talented, and hungry—but relatively inexperienced when it comes to deep postseason runs. That’s where Verlander’s impact could be transformative.

Few pitchers in MLB history can match his résumé:

• Multiple Cy Young Awards

• World Series championships

• Decades of postseason experience

Adding Verlander to the clubhouse would give Baltimore’s young pitchers daily exposure to elite preparation habits and mental toughness. For an organization that has prioritized player development, that influence could be just as important as what Verlander does every fifth day.

Orioles Still Exploring Younger, Higher-Upside Arms

None of this means Baltimore has shifted away from pursuing younger, top-tier pitching.

The Orioles remain linked to Framber Valdez, one of the most sought-after arms on the market. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the New York Mets and several other teams continue to pursue Valdez aggressively, driving up his expected price.

Baltimore is involved—but cautious.

Rosenthal also noted that Verlander is drawing interest from multiple teams, and that while discussions between Verlander and the Orioles are “not close,” that status is likely tied to Elias keeping his options open in the Valdez market.

Why Verlander Could Be a Strategic Alternative

If Valdez’s price climbs too high—or if Baltimore decides not to part with additional prospect capital—Verlander becomes an attractive fallback option.

One key advantage: no draft pick compensation.

The Orioles already paid a steep price to acquire Shane Baz, surrendering a competitive balance pick along with four prospects. Signing Verlander would not require sacrificing additional draft capital, preserving Baltimore’s pipeline of young talent.

Compared to high-cost free agents like Valdez or Zac Gallen, Verlander represents a lower-risk financial commitment with meaningful upside.

Geographic and Personal Factors Favor Baltimore

There’s also a subtle but noteworthy personal connection: Verlander is from Virginia.

While proximity alone doesn’t determine free-agent decisions, veteran players often value location, comfort, and familiarity—especially late in their careers. Baltimore offers all three, along with a competitive roster and a front office he trusts.

And then there’s the internet-fueled trivia that fans can’t seem to ignore.

The “Orange Teams” Theory Fans Love

In a lighthearted but viral observation, Yahoo’s Kendall Baker pointed out that every MLB team Verlander has played for has featured the color orange.

• Detroit Tigers

• Houston Astros

• San Francisco Giants

The Orioles, of course, fit the pattern perfectly.

While it holds no real baseball logic, it has become a fun rallying point for fans advocating for Verlander’s arrival—and in a city buzzing with optimism, every narrative counts.

Could Baltimore Add Verlander and Valdez?

Some Orioles fans have floated the idea of adding both Verlander and Valdez to an already improving rotation.

Realistically, that outcome is unlikely.

Valdez is expected to command a massive contract, and pairing that with another significant pitching deal would stretch Baltimore’s payroll beyond its comfort zone. Elias has been aggressive, but he has also remained disciplined.

More likely, Baltimore views Verlander as either:

• A contingency plan

• Or a complementary move if the market shifts

Expectations Are Rising in Baltimore

Perhaps the most telling sign of how far the Orioles have come is the nature of this discussion itself.

Not long ago, the idea of debating whether a future Hall of Famer was worth adding to Baltimore’s rotation would have seemed absurd. Now, fans are weighing whether Verlander alone is enough—or if the team should aim even higher.

That shift speaks volumes about the organization’s trajectory.

Mike Elias’ aggressive and calculated offseason has raised expectations, and while some may be unrealistic, they reflect genuine belief that the Orioles are ready to contend at the highest level.

Final Thoughts

Justin Verlander to the Orioles is far from a done deal—but it’s no longer far-fetched.

With recent performance still strong, ties to the front office, a young roster in need of leadership, and financial considerations shaping the market, Baltimore may find that the veteran ace offers exactly what it needs in 2026.

Whether as a fallback plan or a strategic addition, Verlander represents stability, experience, and winning pedigree—qualities that could help push the Orioles from contenders to legitimate championship threats.

And for a fan base dreaming big, that’s a conversation worth having.