Finding a bargain among starting pitchers is a rare feat, but these four free agents could offer immense value to any MLB team. The quest for affordable starting pitchers is a challenging one, yet it's a crucial aspect of building a successful team.
Starting pitchers often command the highest salaries in free agency, with MLB teams spending an average of $33.8 million on their starting rotations last season, according to Spotrac. This makes adding external talent to a rotation an expensive endeavor.
However, when a team manages to sign a starting pitcher at a reasonable price, it can be a game-changer. These players can provide great value relative to their cost, becoming a key asset for the club.
But here's where it gets intriguing... Which pitchers, despite their perceived flaws, could be undervalued and make a significant impact in 2026?
Let's dive into the world of undervalued starting pitchers and explore some intriguing options.
Zack Littell, RHP
Littell might not be the flashiest name, but he possesses some exceptional skills. With a walk rate of just 4.5% since the start of last season, he's tied with Tarik Skubal for the lowest among qualified pitchers. This control is a foundation for success.
Additionally, Littell's ability to generate swings is impressive. By increasing his splitter usage and adding a two-seamer, he created an arsenal that resulted in an incredible swing rate of 51.4% in 2025. This places him among an elite list of pitchers, including Skubal, Bryan Woo, Jacob deGrom, and Kevin Gausman.
Compelling batters to swing more often leads to fewer walks and more innings pitched. Littell ranked 11th in innings last season, and since 2024, only 16 pitchers have thrown at least 340 innings with a lower ERA than his 3.73. He's also relatively young at 30 years old.
Littell is a stealthy workhorse, consistently eating up innings and providing stability.
Aaron Civale, RHP
Civale's stock has dipped due to uneven performances, but there's more to his story. Among pitchers who tossed at least 40 innings in the second half last season, Civale ranked 22nd in strikeout-minus-walk percentage (20.5%), an elite metric that showcases a pitcher's control.
His 3.39 second-half SIERA (Skill-Interactive ERA) is also the best among remaining free-agent starters, even outperforming Valdez. Civale's performance improvement coincided with a change in pitch mix, increasing his curveball usage and creating an unusual cutter-curveball combination, which could be the key to his success.
Chris Bassitt, RHP
As Bassitt enters his age-37 season, durability becomes a key factor. He's logged at least 150 innings in every season since 2021, showcasing his resilience. His deep arsenal allows him to rely on guile and creativity, even as his velocity declines.
Bassitt continues to experiment, dropping his arm angle last season, which improved the horizontal movement of his pitches. His curveball's run value increased from -1 in 2024 to +5 compared to the league average, suggesting he still has some tricks up his sleeve.
Lucas Giolito, RHP
Giolito's availability might be surprising given his pedigree and 3.41 ERA last season. However, teams are concerned about his expected ERA of 4.99 and his injury history, which includes Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure that kept him out for all of 2024.
Despite these concerns, Giolito could be a low-risk, high-reward investment. His strong strikeout rates (26% K-rate in 2023, 25% career rate) and the belief that he'll be stronger post-surgery make him an attractive option. Additionally, Giolito was one of the unluckiest pitchers in baseball when it came to full counts, walking 30 and striking out 17. If his luck evens out, he could be a valuable mid-rotation contributor at a discounted price.
These four free agents offer a unique blend of skills and potential, providing an exciting opportunity for any MLB team looking to bolster their starting rotation. Who do you think will be the biggest bargain among these pitchers? Let's discuss in the comments and share our thoughts on these intriguing options!
