The New York Mets may have just reshaped the free agent landscape - and in doing so, handed the Baltimore Orioles a golden opportunity. With the Mets pulling off a trade for Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, they’ve effectively taken themselves out of the running for Framber Valdez, the top remaining starting pitcher on the open market. And that leaves Baltimore with a clearer path to land the lefty - if they still want him.
Now, let’s be real. There hasn’t exactly been a fierce bidding war between the Mets and Orioles for Valdez.
In fact, it looked like Baltimore had already pivoted a few weeks back, shifting their focus toward another left-hander: Ranger Suárez. That plan didn’t pan out either, as the Boston Red Sox swooped in late to land Suárez, leaving the O’s still searching for a frontline arm.
So here we are. The Mets are off the board.
The Red Sox made their move. And Valdez?
He’s still out there - but not without some complications.
Valdez comes with a qualifying offer attached, which means signing him would cost the Orioles a draft pick. But that hasn’t stopped other teams from making bold moves.
The Blue Jays, for example, didn’t blink when they locked up Dylan Cease to a seven-year deal. Valdez is a few years older than Cease and the rest of this offseason’s top-tier starters, so his age might shorten the length of his next contract - but his performance still puts him in elite territory.
That said, there’s more to consider than just what Valdez brings between the lines.
Last season, Valdez found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. A miscommunication with catcher César Salazar led to a home run, and tensions boiled over almost immediately.
On the very next pitch, Valdez crossed up Salazar again, visibly frustrated. The incident didn’t sit well across the league, and several former players voiced their disapproval of how Valdez handled the situation.
It wasn’t just a bad look - it raised questions about his composure and leadership.
That matters, especially in Baltimore right now. New Orioles manager Craig Albernaz has made it clear that building a strong, unified clubhouse is a top priority.
For a team that’s trying to take the next step - from promising young core to legitimate contender - chemistry isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a foundation.
And bringing in a player with a recent history of tension on the field might give the front office pause, even if the talent is undeniable.
So what’s next?
At this point, only two teams have been seriously linked to Valdez this winter: the Mets and the Orioles. The Mets have made their move.
Whether the Orioles follow suit - or decide to go in a different direction entirely - remains to be seen. But with the market thinning out and the rotation still needing a boost, Baltimore may have to weigh the risk against the reward.
Valdez has the stuff to anchor a playoff rotation. The question is whether the Orioles believe he’s the right fit - both on the mound and in the clubhouse - for a team that’s poised to make noise in October.