Orioles Miss Out on Framber Valdez, and the Rotation Questions Linger
As spring training looms, Orioles fans are waking up to the news they didn’t want to hear: Framber Valdez is heading to Detroit, not Baltimore. The lefty ace signed a landmark three-year deal with the Tigers, officially taking one of the top starting pitchers off the board-and leaving a noticeable void in the Orioles’ rotation plans.
And just like that, the wave of optimism that carried much of Baltimore’s offseason is starting to feel a little shaky.
A Promising Start to the Offseason
Let’s be clear: the Orioles made moves. Real ones.
They got aggressive early, locking down Ryan Helsley to solidify the back end of the bullpen. Then they swung a deal for Shane Baz-an upside play on a young, controllable arm who could develop into a long-term piece if he stays healthy.
And of course, the headliner: Pete Alonso. That signing sent a jolt through the fanbase and signaled that Baltimore wasn’t just sitting back this winter.
But even with all that, there was still a sense that something was missing. A frontline starter.
The kind of arm that doesn’t just eat innings, but changes the tone of a postseason series. Valdez fit that mold perfectly.
The Frustration with Elias
Now, Orioles fans are venting their frustration, and much of it is directed at GM Mike Elias. This isn’t new territory.
Elias has long been viewed as cautious when it comes to spending on starting pitching. The most glaring example?
Last offseason, when Baltimore was considered a frontrunner for Corbin Burnes-only to see him land in Arizona after the Orioles reportedly balked at a long-term commitment.
That history has left fans skeptical. Even after the Alonso splash, there’s a belief that ownership may have checked the "big move" box and decided to play it safe the rest of the way.
The idea of pivoting to veteran arms like Lucas Giolito, Justin Verlander, or Chris Bassitt feels familiar-and not in a good way. Those names might bring experience, but they don’t move the needle the same way Valdez would have.
What's at Stake in 2026
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Baltimore is in a critical window. The team has taken major strides in recent years, but the American League East is brutal.
To keep pace-and to seriously contend-the Orioles need more than just incremental upgrades. They need difference-makers.
Valdez would’ve been that guy. A lefty with postseason pedigree, durability, and the kind of stuff that plays deep into October. Missing out on him doesn’t just sting-it creates real questions about whether this team has done enough to keep climbing.
Even if the Orioles land one of the veteran arms still on the market, it’s fair to wonder if it’s enough to keep them in the upper tier of the AL East. And in a division where the margin for error is razor-thin, that could be the difference between playing in October and watching from home.
A Fanbase That Wants More
The early offseason moves bought Elias some goodwill, but that capital is fading. Orioles fans aren’t just looking for progress-they’re looking for a team that can win now. And with the farm system no longer as deep as it once was, the pressure to win at the major league level is only intensifying.
This was supposed to be the offseason where Baltimore pushed its chips in. Instead, with Valdez off the table and spring training around the corner, it feels like the Orioles are still one big move short.
The roster is better. The team should be better.
But in this league, and especially in this division, “better” doesn’t always cut it. The clock’s ticking, and the Orioles still have work to do.