The 2026 MLB season is just around the corner, and with it comes the opportunity to bolster your team's starting rotation. While acquiring a top-tier starting pitcher can be a significant investment, there are a few free agents who could offer exceptional value and help your club in the long run. Let's take a closer look at four such players who might be undervalued on the market.
Zack Littell (RHP)
Zack Littell might not have the most impressive strikeout numbers, but he excels in other areas. Since the start of last season, he's shared the lowest walk rate (4.5%) with Tarik Skubal among qualified pitchers. This is a crucial skill to have, as it directly impacts the number of balls and walks, and ultimately, the number of innings a pitcher can pitch. Littell's ability to generate swings is another standout feature. In 2025, his swing rate of 51.4% was tied for the sixth-best mark among pitchers who reached at least 150 innings. This elite list includes some of the best pitchers in the game, such as Skubal, Bryan Woo, Jacob deGrom, Garrett Crochet, and Kevin Gausman.
Aaron Civale (RHP)
Aaron Civale's stock has dipped slightly due to uneven performance, but there's more to his story. Among all pitchers who tossed at least 40 innings in the second half of last season, Civale ranked 22nd in strikeout-minus-walk percentage (20.5%). This is an impressive rate, and his 3.39 second-half SIERA (Skill-Interactive ERA) is the best among all remaining free-agent starters, even surpassing Framber Valdez. Civale's performance improvement coincides with a pitch-mix change, as he increased the usage of his curveball, giving him an unusual combination that no other pitcher in the second half had.
Chris Bassitt (RHP)
Chris Bassitt is entering his age-37 season, and while his velocity might be declining, he remains incredibly durable. He's consistently logged at least 150 innings in every season since 2021. Bassitt's arsenal is one of the deepest in the game, and he continues to tinker with his pitch selection, adjusting his arm angle to create more horizontal movement. His curveball's run value improved significantly, and his full-season SIERA was better than the league average, suggesting he still has some fuel left for the 2026 season.
Lucas Giolito (RHP)
Lucas Giolito's availability might come as a surprise, given his 3.41 ERA last season. However, teams are focusing on his expected ERA of 4.99, which was a campaign cut short by a sore elbow. Giolito's injury history is significant, having undergone Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure that cost him all of 2024. However, his investment is worth considering, as he's likely to get a low-risk, high-upside, short-term deal. With a year removed from surgery, he's expected to be stronger and return to his strong strikeout arm capabilities, as evidenced by his 26% K-rate in 2023 and 25% career rate.
These four free agents offer a unique combination of skills and potential, making them valuable additions to any team's starting rotation. While they might not be the most expensive acquisitions, they could provide significant value and help your club in the 2026 season and beyond.
