The top remaining free agent starting pitcher is now off the board, as the Orioles have agreed to sign right-hander Yovani Gallardo, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. The three-year contract is worth $35 million.
Gallardo, 29, was 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 121 strikeouts in 184 1/3 innings last season for the AL West champion Rangers. It was his first season in the AL and the seventh consecutive season in which he worked at least 180 innings. SportsLine projects Gallardo to pitch to a 3.75 ERA this coming season.
Gallardo will be slotted somewhere toward the top of the Orioles' rotation. It's likely either Chris Tillman or Gallardo would be considered the ace to begin the season with Ubaldo Jimenez, Kevin Gausman and Miguel Gonzalez look to round things out at the beginning of 2016. Recently-acquired Odrisamer Despaigne as well as Tyler Wilson, Mike Wright and Dylan Bundy could also get looks through some of 2016.
The Orioles were 81-81 last season despite ranking 12th in the AL in quality starts and 14th in rotation ERA (4.53). Adding Gallardo helps, of course, but they also lost Wei-Yin Chen to the Marlins via free agency.
