MLB · 1 hour ago

10 Pitchers Ready to Save a Contender’s 2026 Season

Sportsgrid Staff

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10. Patrick Corbin
2025 Stats: 7-11 | 30 GS | 155.1 IP | 4.40 ERA | 4.25 FIP | 1.36 WHIP | 131 K | 1.9 fWAR

Age in 2026: 37
- Signs of Life: After a rough stretch in D.C., Corbin showed significant improvement in Texas, lowering his ERA by 0.71 points and stabilizing his metrics.
- The Road Back: While no longer the ace that led the 2019 Nationals, his 2025 campaign showed he can still be a functional MLB starter.
- Spring Battle: Unlike the veterans above him, Corbin may need to fight for a rotation spot this spring to prove his 2025 resurgence wasn't a fluke.
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1. Framber Valdez
2025 Stats: 13-11 | 31 GS | 192.0 IP | 3.66 ERA | 3.37 FIP | 1.24 WHIP | 187 K | 4.0 fWAR

Age in 2026: 32
- Astros Legacy: After eight seasons in Houston, Valdez enters the market with two All-Star nods and a World Series ring.
- The "Down" Year: Even in a "down" 2025, where he struggled with hard-hit rates (46.3%) and walks (8.5%), he still produced a 4.0 fWAR, numbers most pitchers dream of.
- Air Cleared: His camp has assured teams that the infamous "cross-up" incident with César Salazar is in the past and doesn't define his character.
- Market Outlook: As a top-tier arm with a Qualifying Offer attached, he remains a premier rotation leader looking for a significant payday.
Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
2. Zac Gallen
2025 Stats: 13-15 | 33 GS | 192.0 IP | 4.83 ERA | 4.50 FIP | 1.26 WHIP | 175 K | 1.1 fWAR

Age in 2026: 30
- Timing is Everything: Gallen hit free agency on the heels of arguably his toughest season, making his rejection of the Diamondbacks' Qualifying Offer a significant talking point.
- Ultimate Durability: Despite the ERA spike, he remains a workhorse, having logged at least 28 starts in each of the last four seasons.
- High Ceiling: At just 30, the former All-Star still has elite potential. Whether it's a change of scenery or a return to the desert, he is a prime bounce-back candidate.
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3. Lucas Giolito
2025 Stats: 10-4 | 26 GS | 145.0 IP | 3.41 ERA | 4.17 FIP | 1.29 WHIP | 121 K | 2.0 fWAR

Age in 2026: 32
- The Rebound: After missing 2024 due to internal brace surgery on his UCL, Giolito returned to Boston in April and looked revitalized.
- Efficient Innings: He provided a steady presence for the Red Sox postseason push, posting a sharp 3.41 ERA across 26 starts.
- Low Risk, High Reward: For teams missing out on the "big two" (Valdez/Gallen), Giolito offers high-end rotation upside at a likely more palatable price point.
4. Chris Bassitt
2025 Stats: 10-14 | 31 GS | 171.0 IP | 4.16 ERA | 4.08 FIP | 1.33 WHIP | 166 K | 2.4 fWAR

Age in 2026: 37
- The Model of Consistency: An 11-year veteran who has started 28+ games in six of the last seven years.
- Versatile Threat: After a late-season back injury, Bassitt moved to the bullpen for the postseason and was dominant, allowing only one run in seven appearances.
- Postseason Asset: Entering his age-37 season, he offers contenders a "team-first" mentality and a proven ability to eat innings or lock down relief roles.
5. Nick Martinez
2025 Stats: 11-14 | 26 GS | 165.2 IP | 4.45 ERA | 4.33 FIP | 1.21 WHIP | 116 K | 2.1 fWAR

Age in 2026: 35
- Strategic Success: After accepting a surprise Qualifying Offer from the Reds last year, Martinez is back on the market as a highly flexible "swingman."
- The Split Stats: While he held his own as a starter (4.72 ERA), he was elite as a reliever, posting a 2.61 ERA and a minuscule 0.92 WHIP.
- Optionality: His value lies in his dual-role capability, offering any organization a reliable bridge between the rotation and the bullpen.
6. Zack Littell
2025 Stats: 10-8 | 32 GS | 186.2 IP | 3.81 ERA | 4.88 FIP | 1.10 WHIP | 130 K | 1.5 fWAR

Age in 2026: 30
- Rays Lab Success: Since transitioning to a starting role in Tampa Bay, Littell has blossomed into one of the league’s most underrated arms.
- Elite Control: He maintains an impressive 4.2% walk rate, keeping traffic off the bases with a 1.10 WHIP.
- Postseason Flexibility: With prior experience in the bullpen, Littell is a valuable asset for teams looking for a starter who can also transition to a high-leverage relief role in October.
7. Jose Quintana
2025 Stats: 11-7 | 24 GS | 131.2 IP | 3.96 ERA | 4.81 FIP | 1.29 WHIP | 89 K | 0.8 fWAR

Age in 2026: 37
- The Quiet Producer: His 2025 stint with Milwaukee was a masterclass in value, helping the Brewers reach the best record in the league.
- The "4" Avoidance: Remarkably, Quintana hasn't finished a season with an ERA in the 4.00s since 2021.
- Soft Contact King: Even at 37, he excels at generating ground balls and weak contact, making him one of the most predictable and reliable veterans available.
8. Justin Verlander
2025 Stats: 4-11 | 29 GS | 152.0 IP | 3.85 ERA | 3.85 FIP | 1.36 WHIP | 137 K | 2.2 fWAR

Age in 2026: 43
- Twilight Excellence: The future Hall of Famer is no longer "peak Verlander," but he remains a league-average starter with league-average peripherals across 29 starts.
- The Elder Statesman: Beyond the innings, Verlander offers "player-coach" value and a championship pedigree.
- One Last Run: At nearly 43, he’s hunting for a contender to help him secure one final World Series title before hanging them up.
9. Max Scherzer
2025 Stats: 5-5 | 17 GS | 85.0 IP | 5.19 ERA | 4.99 FIP | 1.29 WHIP | 82 K | 0.4 fWAR

Age in 2026: 42
- A Legend’s Final Act: Like Verlander, Scherzer is a first-ballot HOFer looking for a "swan song" after falling just short with the Blue Jays.
- Durability Concerns: Injuries have limited him to just 53 starts over the last three seasons, resulting in a 5.19 ERA in 2025.
- The Sunset Season: While the stats have dipped, seeing "Mad Max" compete for one more ring feels like the proper conclusion to a generational career.
10. Patrick Corbin
2025 Stats: 7-11 | 30 GS | 155.1 IP | 4.40 ERA | 4.25 FIP | 1.36 WHIP | 131 K | 1.9 fWAR

Age in 2026: 37
- Signs of Life: After a rough stretch in D.C., Corbin showed significant improvement in Texas, lowering his ERA by 0.71 points and stabilizing his metrics.
- The Road Back: While no longer the ace that led the 2019 Nationals, his 2025 campaign showed he can still be a functional MLB starter.
- Spring Battle: Unlike the veterans above him, Corbin may need to fight for a rotation spot this spring to prove his 2025 resurgence wasn't a fluke.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1. Framber Valdez
2025 Stats: 13-11 | 31 GS | 192.0 IP | 3.66 ERA | 3.37 FIP | 1.24 WHIP | 187 K | 4.0 fWAR

Age in 2026: 32
- Astros Legacy: After eight seasons in Houston, Valdez enters the market with two All-Star nods and a World Series ring.
- The "Down" Year: Even in a "down" 2025, where he struggled with hard-hit rates (46.3%) and walks (8.5%), he still produced a 4.0 fWAR, numbers most pitchers dream of.
- Air Cleared: His camp has assured teams that the infamous "cross-up" incident with César Salazar is in the past and doesn't define his character.
- Market Outlook: As a top-tier arm with a Qualifying Offer attached, he remains a premier rotation leader looking for a significant payday.
Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.

10 Pitchers Ready to Save a Contender’s 2026 Season

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