The Orioles came into this offseason with a clear mission: land a top-tier starting pitcher to anchor their rotation. But that plan took a hit when Framber Valdez-one of the most consistent lefties in the game-opted to sign with the Detroit Tigers instead. It’s a tough miss for Baltimore, especially considering how well Valdez would’ve fit at the top of their staff.
Valdez is coming off another solid campaign in Houston. He threw 192 innings over 31 starts, posted a 3.66 ERA, struck out 187, and kept his WHIP at a respectable 1.24.
That’s not just serviceable-that’s frontline material in today’s game. Over seven seasons, he’s built a 3.36 career ERA and topped 1,000 strikeouts, not to mention his pivotal role in the Astros’ 2022 World Series run.
This is a guy who knows how to pitch deep into seasons and deliver when it counts.
The Tigers locked him up on a three-year, $115 million deal, with an opt-out after 2027. That’s a big swing for Detroit, and it signals something loud and clear: they’re not waiting around. They’re pushing nearly $100 million in payroll just for their rotation, and they’re clearly in go-for-it mode.
As for the Orioles, missing out on Valdez stings. He was one of the few remaining arms on the market who could truly shift the balance at the top of a rotation. As longtime baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian put it, “I thought the Orioles were going to get Framber… I don’t know if there’s anybody out there that’s going to give them a pitcher of that caliber.”
Still, it’s not all doom and gloom in Baltimore. The team has been active this offseason, adding big bat Pete Alonso, promising arm Shane Baz, and All-Star closer Ryan Helsley, among others. There’s a real sense that the Orioles are building something that can compete-not just for a wild card, but potentially for the division if things break right.
Kurkjian remains optimistic about their chances. “With all the other things they’ve done, they should be a significantly better team than last year,” he said. “They should be vying for a playoff spot of some sort in September.”
The question now is whether they can still find a meaningful upgrade for the rotation. While the top-tier names are mostly off the board, there are still some intriguing veterans available. Kurkjian pointed to Chris Bassitt, Justin Verlander, and Zac Gallen as potential fits-each with something different to offer.
Verlander, even at his age, continues to defy the clock. He may not be the Cy Young version anymore, but he can still give you quality innings and leadership in the clubhouse.
Bassitt is one of the more cerebral pitchers in the game, and his consistency over the past few seasons makes him a valuable mid-rotation piece. Gallen, meanwhile, is a guy who started an All-Star Game not long ago and has frontline upside when he’s locked in.
Any of those arms would help stabilize the Orioles’ rotation, even if they’re not the ace-level addition Valdez would’ve been. And while a major trade for a starter doesn’t seem imminent, Kurkjian left the door open for something to materialize later-especially if injuries or underperformance shake things up in spring training.
The bigger-picture concern is whether Baltimore can truly contend for an American League pennant without another high-end starter. Kurkjian was candid: “This doesn’t look like the AL pennant winner to me at the moment.” But he also reminded us that baseball is a long season, and the team you start with isn’t always the one you finish with.
“If you get yourself back into contention and you need one more guy, you can always get it,” he said. That’s where the Orioles could find themselves come the August 3 trade deadline-right in the thick of things, with the flexibility to make a move.
Meanwhile, the bullpen took a bit of a hit with the trade of reliever Kade Strowd to Arizona. In return, Baltimore picked up infielder Blaze Alexander-a move that adds versatility to the roster.
Alexander played 74 games for the Diamondbacks last year, hitting .230 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs. He showed defensive flexibility too, logging time at third and second base.
That kind of utility is valuable, especially over the grind of a 162-game season. Kurkjian noted that Alexander’s flexibility was likely a key factor in the deal. “When you have that kind of flexibility in the infield that Blaze Alexander can bring, it really, really helps your team,” he said.
As for the bullpen depth, Kurkjian wasn’t overly concerned. “You can find relief pitchers as you go,” he said.
“There are so many good guys out there-middle, late, in-between guys. You can find help in the bullpen much easier than other places.”
So while the Orioles didn’t land their big fish in Valdez, they’re not out of the race. The offseason moves have made them better, and there’s still time to fill in the gaps. The rotation might not be elite yet, but the pieces are there for a playoff push-and maybe more if the front office stays aggressive when the trade market heats up.