Finding a bargain among starting pitchers is like searching for a needle in a haystack. These four free agents, however, could be the hidden gems that teams are overlooking.
The Costly Pursuit of Starting Pitchers
Starting pitchers are often the most expensive acquisitions in the MLB market. According to Spotrac, teams spent an average of $33.8 million on starting rotations last season, making it the most costly position to fill. This high demand and limited supply make it challenging to find value deals.
But here's where it gets interesting...
Undervalued Arms with Potential
We're about to explore four pitchers who, despite some perceived flaws, could provide exceptional value to a club in 2026. Let's dive in!
Zack Littell, RHP - The Sneaky Swing-Inducer
Littell might not have the most impressive stats on paper, but he possesses some exceptional skills. Since last season, he's tied with Tarik Skubal for the lowest walk rate (4.5%) among qualified pitchers, a skill that's a solid foundation for any pitcher.
What's more, Littell has a unique ability to induce swings. In 2023, he made the transition from reliever to starter and adjusted his arsenal, adding a splitter and a two-seamer. This change increased his zone percentage and resulted in an incredible swing rate of 51.4% in 2025, ranking him sixth among pitchers with at least 150 innings. That's an elite list he's keeping company with!
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, making him an intriguing option.
Aaron Civale, RHP - The Resilient Comeback Story
Civale was once highly regarded, as evidenced by the Rays' willingness to trade top prospect Kyle Manzardo for him in 2023. However, his stock has dipped due to inconsistent performance, with an ERA of 4.85 last season and two consecutive campaigns with less than 1 WAR.
But beneath the surface, there are signs of improvement. Among pitchers who threw at least 40 innings in the second half of last season, Civale ranked 22nd in strikeout-minus-walk percentage (20.5%), an elite metric that showcases a pitcher's control. His second-half SIERA of 3.39 was the best among all remaining free-agent starters, even outperforming Valdez.
Civale's performance boost coincided with a change in his pitch mix, increasing his curveball usage. This unique combination made him the only pitcher in the second half with a cutter-curveball mix accounting for at least 50% of his offerings. Could this be the formula that helps him excel as a starter or even a swingman?
Chris Bassitt, RHP - The Durable Veteran
As Bassitt enters his age-37 season, there are concerns about his declining velocity and bat-missing ability. However, he's incredibly durable, having logged at least 150 innings in every season since 2021. His deep arsenal allows him to rely on guile and creativity, even as his stuff diminishes.
Bassitt continues to experiment, dropping his arm angle by three degrees last season, which created more horizontal movement across his pitches. His curveball's run value improved significantly, and his full-season SIERA of 3.92 was better than the league average and his best since 2022. These signs suggest he still has something left in the tank for 2026.
Lucas Giolito, RHP - The Unlucky Ace
Given his pedigree and 3.41 ERA last season, it's surprising that Giolito is still available. Teams are focusing on 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.
However, this injury history could be a blessing in disguise, as it has kept his price low. Teams might see an investment in Giolito as a low-risk, high-reward opportunity, believing he'll be stronger a year post-surgery and return to his strikeout ways (26% K-rate in 2023, 25% career rate).
Additionally, Giolito was one of the unluckiest pitchers in baseball last season regarding full counts. His K-BB% mark with a full count was -17%, significantly below the MLB average of around zero. This extreme poor luck could be a sign that he's due for a turnaround, especially considering his velocity and Stuff+ scores remained consistent.
If Giolito can get back to neutral in full counts, he could be a valuable mid-rotation contributor at a discounted price.
These four pitchers, with their unique skills and potential, could be the difference-makers for any MLB team in 2026. Will they prove to be the bargains of the season? Only time will tell. What do you think? Are these pitchers undervalued, or is there a reason for their availability? Let's discuss in the comments!
