The 2026 MLB season is just around the corner, and while many teams are busy with their lineups, there's a group of free agents who could be undervalued and provide significant value to any club. These pitchers, despite their perceived flaws, have the potential to be game-changers. Let's take a closer look at four such players who could be bargains for the right team.
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 for any pitcher, as it directly impacts the number of balls and walks, and subsequently, the number of innings pitched. Littell's ability to keep walks in check is a testament to his control and command of the strike zone.
Littell's arsenal includes a splitter and a two-seamer, which he uses to great effect. By increasing his splitter usage and adding a two-seamer, he's managed to boost his zone percentage, leading to a higher swing rate. In 2025, his swing rate of 51.4% was tied for the sixth-best among pitchers who reached at least 150 innings. This elite list includes Skubal, Bryan Woo, Jacob deGrom, Garrett Crochet, and Kevin Gausman, further emphasizing Littell's talent.
Moreover, Littell's innings-eating ability is a significant advantage. Since the start of 2024, he's one of the younger arms on the market (30) and has thrown at least 340 innings while posting a lower ERA than the league average. His durability and ability to pitch deep into games make him a valuable asset for any team.
Aaron Civale, RHP
Aaron Civale's stock has dipped due to uneven performance, but there are some hidden gems under the surface. Among pitchers who tossed at least 40 innings in the second half of last season, Civale ranked 22nd in strikeout-minus-walk percentage (20.5%), an elite rate that accounts for what pitchers control. His 3.39 second-half SIERA, which also considers batted-ball quality, is the best among all remaining free-agent starters, even surpassing Framber Valdez.
Civale's performance improvement coincided with a pitch-mix change as he increased his curveball usage. This change gave him an unusual combination, making him the only pitcher in the second half to have a cutter-curveball combination account for at least 50% of his offerings. This unique approach could be a game-changer for any team looking for an impact swingman.
Chris Bassitt, RHP
Chris Bassitt, entering his age-37 season, is a pitcher who is likely to decline in velocity, but his durability and arsenal make him a valuable asset. He's logged at least 150 innings in every season since 2021, showcasing his ability to pitch deep into games. Bassitt's arsenal includes a variety of pitches, allowing him to rely on guile and creativity as his stuff declines.
Last season, Bassitt dropped his arm angle by three degrees, creating more horizontal movement across his pitch offerings. This adjustment improved the run value of his curveball, and his full-season SIERA of 3.92 was better than the league average and his best since 2022. These improvements suggest that Bassitt still has some fuel left in the tank for the 2026 season.
Lucas Giolito, RHP
Lucas Giolito's injury history might be a concern, but it also makes him a low-risk, high-upside, short-term deal. With Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure costing him all of 2024, Giolito is now fully recovered and ready to contribute. His ability to strike out batters at a rate of 26% in 2023 and 25% for his career makes him a strong strikeout arm.
Giolito's performance in full counts is also noteworthy. While the MLB average for a K-BB% mark with a full count is neutral, Giolito's mark was -17% last season. This extreme poor luck is evident in the number of walks and strikeouts he recorded in full counts. However, his velocity held steady from 2023, and his Stuff+ scores were in line with his previous seasons, suggesting that he can return to a more neutral performance.
In conclusion, these four free agents, Zack Littell, Aaron Civale, Chris Bassitt, and Lucas Giolito, offer significant value to any team. Their unique skills and potential to contribute in various roles make them attractive options for the 2026 season. While they may have some perceived flaws, their talent and potential make them worth considering for any club looking to strengthen their rotation.
