Which MLB Clubs Have Room for Top Remaining Starting Pitchers?

This article takes a closer look at the free-agent starting pitcher market as spring training approaches. We’ll see who’s off the board, who’s still out there, and how teams with payroll flexibility and rotation needs might tackle the late-market options.

With Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen finding homes, the marquee stage is clear. Still, several quality arms are floating around who could swing championship chances for a handful of clubs.

Remaining Free-Agent Starters Entering Spring Training

Valdez’s move to Detroit and Gallen’s landing in Arizona shifted the market. There’s no single true “wow” signing left, but the list of notable pitchers—led by Max Scherzer, Lucas Giolito, and Zack Littell—still matters for teams hoping to upgrade rotations without going overboard in a volatile market.

Max Scherzer is healthy and ready to sign. He seems willing to wait for a preferred, win-now club, even if it means holding out into the regular season.

Giolito and Littell, on the other hand, seem more eager to get deals done. Their profiles suggest they’ll sign sooner as teams weigh needs against cost and fit.

Max Scherzer: The Win-Now Contender

The veteran ace could still change the game for teams with immediate postseason aspirations and enough payroll space for a high-cost, high-impact addition.

• Where he fits: clubs ready to contend now and able to clear a path to a championship run without wrecking long-term plans.
• Strategic angle: Scherzer’s presence could anchor a rotation and provide a late-season push, as long as the fit feels right and the rest of the staff complements him.

Teams looking at Scherzer have to ask themselves if their window matches his win-now mindset. Can the roster handle a potential one-year or short-term commitment with a high price tag?

Lucas Giolito: Mid-Rotation Upgrade On the Move

Giolito brings a pragmatic, affordable upgrade for teams that need rotation depth but can’t swing for a true ace. He’s seen as a ready-made mid-rotation option who can contribute right away and help steady a staff that’s a bit thin.

• Team-fit considerations: clubs with competitive but not massive payrolls, looking to shore up the back end and give a reliable bridge to the bullpen.
• Impact potential: Giolito can nudge a few teams into better postseason positioning by delivering quality innings and taking pressure off younger arms.

He’s not perfect, but his track record and steady innings could make the difference for teams hoping to turn a top-heavy rotation into something more balanced. The market expects him to sign soon, as clubs try to square rosters with budget realities and competitive goals.

Zack Littell: Quiet Depth with High Ceiling

Littell usually flies under the radar as a premium depth piece. He can step into the middle innings and offer real upside when it matters most.

He doesn’t get the same attention as Scherzer or Giolito. Still, teams with flexible rosters love having a pitcher who might quietly turn into a steady contributor as the season rolls along.

• Where he fits: Teams that want depth for a long season, and value the freedom to play with pitch usage and matchups.
• Why it matters: Depth arms take pressure off the frontline staff. They can even spark late-season surges, especially in those wild, competitive divisions.

The market’s changed a lot. Most of the top-tier free-agent stars are already signed, but there’s still a solid group of dependable, mid-to-back-end starters out there who could really shape a rotation—or even a season.

The right mix of Scherzer’s championship experience, Giolito’s steadiness, and Littell’s hidden depth could tilt things for contenders with spring training just around the corner.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Which Clubs Have Room For The Top Remaining Starters?