Latest Justin Verlander Contract, Landing Spot Rumors Amid MLB Free Agency

"A number of clubs," including the Baltimore Orioles, are interested in signing veteran right-hander Justin Verlander ahead of the 2026 MLB season, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Friday.

According to Rosenthal, the Orioles "are still trying to add another starting pitcher, preferably one at or near the top of the rotation, in free agency or trade."

Verlander, who will turn 43 in February, spent last season playing on a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants.

He struggled early in his campaign with the Giants, going from a 0-7 record and 4.70 ERA through his first 15 starts of the season to a 4-4 record and 2.99 ERA in his final 14.

Verlander's improvement down the stretch coincided with the addition of a sweeper to his pitching repertoire, per Baseball Savant.

He may be hoping that additional pitch will help him reach what he has previously stated is his goal of recording 300 career wins. He has so far collected 266 wins through 20 MLB seasons, and he's made it clear he wants to continue pitching for a 21st campaign.

Verlander said after the end of the 2025 season that he would "consider anything," including a return to the Giants, per MLB.com's Maria Guardado.

Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey meanwhile said in December his team would be "open to" bringing back the veteran pitcher for another season.

If a reunion between Verlander and the Giants doesn't take place, however, he could potentially add some depth to an Orioles rotation currently featuring multiple starters who missed significant parts of the 2025 season, including Zach Eflin and Kyle Bradish.