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2026 Free Agent Starting Pitchers: Top MLB Arms Hitting the Market Next Year

Originally posted on Just Baseball | By Ryan Finkelstein | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 9:14 AM ET

If there is one thing that every team is looking for in free agency each year, it’s starting pitching. Not all teams shop at the top of market for aces, or even for middle-of-the-rotation arms, but every team is at least looking for the depth to survive the marathon of 162.

Looking ahead to the upcoming 2026 MLB Free Agent class, there are some high-impact starting pitchers who could make a big impact next season. From an ace like Framber Valdez, to a solid mid-rotation starter in Merrill Kelly, or even a future Hall of Famer like Max Scherzer, teams will have plenty of options to choose from in free agency.

We have divided the 2026 free agents into a few different tiers: aces, mid-rotation Arms, and back-of-the-rotation starters. We also added a section for pitchers who’s contracts have options for next season that will likely vest, keeping them off the market. Finally, a look into a few pitchers who are coming off surgeries, looking to rehab and get back on the mound in 2026.

As the remainder of the 2025 season winds down, we will periodically update this article with new stats and information that relates to these impending free agent starting pitchers. With that said, every player’s Baseball Reference page has been linked, so you can always find updated stats by clicking on each name found below.

All stats taken upon first publish prior to play on August 12th.

2026 Free Agent Starting Pitchers: Potential Aces

We want to take a minute to highlight the word “potential” in our heading above, because this list could be a lot shorter if we simply focused on production in 2025. This season, only Framber Valdez has been an ace for his team wire-to-wire.

With that said, there are few pitchers who have either fought through injuries this season, or have been working their way back from major injuries who could jump right back into being a full-season ace in 2026.

Finally, we have a few pitchers on this list who have great stuff, who have failed to meet expectations in a contract year. Without further ado, let’s look at the six pitchers who have ace potential that are set to hit the free agent market.

Framber Valdez, Houston Astros

Age in 2026: 32
2025 Stats: 23 GS, 145.2 IP, 2.97 ERA, 2.97 FIP, 1.16 WHIP, 8.96 K/9
2025 Salary: $18 million

Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres

Age in 2026: 30
2025 Stats: 24 GS, 129.1 IP, 4.52 ERA, 3.43 FIP, 1.28 WHIP, 11.76 K/9
2025 Salary: $13.75 million

Michael King, San Diego Padres

Age in 2026: 31
2025 Stats: 11 GS, 57.2 IP, 2.81 ERA, 3.30 FIP, 1.09 WHIP, 10.14 K/9
2025 Salary: $15 million mutual option, $3.75 million buyout

Shane Bieber, Toronto Blue Jays

Age in 2026: 31
2025 Stats: N/A
2025 Salary: $16 million player option

Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers

Age in 2026: 33
2025 Stats: 6 GS, 35.1 IP, 2.29 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 0.65 WHIP, 11.46 K/9
2025 Salary: $20 million mutual option, $10 million buyout

Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks

Age in 2026: 30
2025 Stats: 24 GS, 139 IP, 5.31 ERA, 4.56 FIP, 1.35 WHIP, 8.42 K/9
2025 Salary: $13.5 million

2026 Free Agent Starting Pitchers: Mid-Rotation Arms

An ace is not a title to be given lightly, making the top tier of the free agent market a selective group. Still, if we have learned anything from recent free agent markets, it is that every quality MLB starting pitcher is going to get paid.

We have seen No. 2 to No. 4 starter types getting paid well more than $10 million per season, with some non-aces still exceeding $20 million per season (especially on a shorter-term deal). Teams are looking for innings in free agency, and some of the guys on this list are among the best at providing their teams with quality ones every fifth day over the course of the season.

Age in 2026: 30
2025 Stats: 17 GS, 107 IP, 2.94 ERA, 3.12 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, 8.24 K/9
2025 Salary: $8.8 million

Lucas Giolito, Boston Red Sox

Age in 2026: 31
2025 Stats: 18 GS, 100.1 IP, 3.77 ERA, 4.43 FIP, 1.25 WHIP, 7.36 K/9
2025 Salary: $14 million ($1.5 million buyout), becomes $19 million mutual option ($1.5 million buyout) w/140+ IP in 2025

Merrill Kelly, Texas Rangers

Age in 2026: 37
2025 Stats: 24 GS, 138.2 IP, 3.38 ERA, 3.69 FIP, 1.08 WHIP, 8.50 K/9
2025 Salary: $7 million

Chris Bassitt, Toronto Blue Jays

Age in 2026: 37
2025 Stats: 24 GS, 133.2 IP, 4.17 ERA, 4.17 FIP, 1.32 WHIP, 8.62 K/9
2025 Salary: $22 million

Jose Quintana, Milwaukee Brewers

Age in 2026: 37
2025 Stats: 17 GS, 93.1 IP, 3.57 ERA, 4.73 FIP, 1.34 WHIP, 6.36 K/9
2025 Salary: $13.75 million

Zach Eflin, Baltimore Orioles

Age in 2026: 32
2025 Stats: 14 GS, 71.1 IP, 5.93 ERA, 5.62 FIP, 1.42 WHIP, 6.31 K/9
2025 Salary: $18 million

Tyler Mahle, Texas Rangers

Age in 2026: 31
2025 Stats: 14 GS, 77 IP, 2.34 ERA, 3.38 FIP, 1.13 WHIP, 6.55 K/9
2025 Salary: $16.5 million

Aaron Civale, Chicago White Sox

Age in 2026: 31
2025 Stats: 15 GS, 73.1 IP, 4.91 ERA, 4.42 FIP, 1.34 WHIP, 7.61 K/9
2025 Salary: $4.6 million

2026 Free Agent Starting Pitchers: Back of the Rotation

The following list of free agents can be classified as more of your back-of-the-rotation arms. This list of names ranges from future Hall of Famers who are on their last legs, to guys coming off injury, to pitchers who simply had a bad year.

Each player’s Baseball Reference has been linked so you can check to see the production of some of the arms on this list, who will likely be looking for one-year deals to prove themselves and extend their careers in 2026.