Top 10 Free Agent Starting Pitchers Remaining in 2026

We are less than a month away until the spring training gates officially open in Florida and Arizona. With that brings hope. Players, coaches, staff members, and fans alike have get that feeling that 2026 just might be their year.

For some players, however, they are still looking to find out which uniform they will put on next. Most of the headline starting pitchers in this free agent class have signed, but there are still many intriguing names still on the board.

Dylan Cease and Ranger Suárez both signed nine-figure deals with new teams. Michael King re-signed with the San Diego Padres. Tatsuya Imai waited until the last possible minute and found a home with the Houston Astros. Other pitchers such as Merrill Kelly, Tyler Mahle, Zach Eflin, Shota Imanaga, and Cody Ponce also have been signed.

This is not a totally uncommon occurrence, as we have seen plenty of players sign into February and March. Last year, Nick Pivetta did not sign his four-year, $55 million deal until a week after the Padres had reported. Pete Alonso, Jorge Soler, Kenley Jansen, and Carlos Correa have also waited until this time frame over the last few years.

At the beginning of the off-season, Just Baseball’s Editor-In-Chief Ryan Finkelstein compiled a list of the top free agents with predictions for where they would land. As time went on and players fell off the board, new players would take their spot.

Using this list as a baseline, let’s take a look at the Top 10 remaining starting pitchers that are still on the market.

1. Framber Valdez

2025 Stats: 13-11 || 31 GS || 192.0 IP || 3.66 ERA || 3.37 FIP || 1.24 WHIP || 187 K || 4.0 fWAR

Age in 2026: 32

One of the two big name free agent starting pitchers remaining, Framber Valdez is looking to cash in after eight seasons with the Houston Astros. During his tenure, he pitched to a 3.36 ERA, 3.51 FIP, and 1.20 WHIP on his way to two All-Star appearances and a World Series title.

Last season, Valdez experienced a down year by his standards, posting a 3.66 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. His 46.3% hard hit rate (3rd percentile) was his worst in five seasons, and his 8.5% walk rate his worst in four seasons. Still, there are more pitchers than not that would signs up for this “down season” in a heartbeat. That is how good Valdez has been so far in his career.

The elephant in the room that is the now-infamous cross-up incident between him and catcher César Salazar remains. Valdez and his agent have assured teams that he has since cleared the air, and that one incident does not define who he is as a person.

Entering his age-32 season, Valdez is looking for what possibly could be his last big payday. The qualifying offer being attached to him has made some teams think hard on the decision to both pay him and lose both a draft pick and bonus pool money. Still, Valdez has more than proven he can step right in amongst the top of a rotation and lead a ball club throughout a season.

2. Zac Gallen

2025 Stats: 13-15 || 33 GS || 192.0 IP || 4.83 ERA || 4.50 FIP || 1.26 WHIP || 175 K || 1.1 fWAR

Age in 2026: 30

The other big name free agent starting pitcher with a qualifying offers attached is Zac Gallen. One has to wonder if he should have accepted the qualifying offers the Arizona Diamondbacks extended him, the way his market has played out thus far.

Gallen suffered arguably the worst season of his career at the worst possible time. Ahead of free agency, he posted a 4.83 ERA, 4.50 FIP, and 1.26 WHIP. The positive for the right-hander is that the best ability is availability, and he has made at least 28 starts in each of his last four seasons.

The 30 year old has shown he has the ability to be an All-Star caliber pitcher in the past. While a change of scenery could be ideal, a reunion with Arizona might very well be in the cards.

3. Lucas Giolito

2025 Stats: 10-4 || 26 GS || 145.0 IP || 3.41 ERA || 4.17 FIP || 1.29 WHIP || 121 K || 2.0 fWAR

Age in 2026: 32

One of the more intriguing arms in this year’s free agent class is Lucas Giolito. After experiencing a down season in 2023, he suffered a UCL injury that required internal brace surgery that shelved him for all of 2024.

Giolito made his return to the mound in April of this past season for the Boston Red Sox and looked like a brand new man from his 2023 self. He recorded a 10-4 record with a 3.41 ERA across 26 starts, providing valuable innings for a team headed to the postseason.

After such a rebound, he could prove to be a low risk, high reward option for teams not in the Valdez or Gallen sweepstakes. Undoubtedly, a team will take a chance on him by season start.

4. Chris Bassitt

2025 Stats: 10-14 || 31 GS || 171.0 IP || 4.16 ERA || 4.08 FIP || 1.33 WHIP || 166 K || 2.4 fWAR

Age in 2026: 37

Chris Bassitt is an 11-year veteran who is one of the more consistent arms currently available. He has started 188 games across the last seven seasons, starting at least 28 games in six of them. Over this stretch he pitched to a 3.60 ERA, 3.94 FIP, and 1.22 WHIP.

Last season, after being healthy for the majority of the season, he hit the injured list with lower back inflammation that caused him to miss the start of the postseason. Upon return, he transitioned to relief arm and was extremely effective, giving up just three hits and one run across seven appearances.

Entering his age-37 season, Bassitt is yet again looking to aid a contending team with consistency, innings, and a team-first mindset.