The Framber Valdez-to-Baltimore rumors had been swirling for months, and on paper, the move made a lot of sense. Orioles President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias has history with Valdez from their shared time in Houston, and with Baltimore looking to solidify its rotation, the connection felt like more than just smoke. But in the end, it was the Detroit Tigers who landed the All-Star southpaw, and the Orioles never seriously entered the mix.
Now we know why.
Elias recently pulled back the curtain on the Orioles' thinking, and the explanation caught many by surprise. The decision to pass on Valdez wasn’t about money, chemistry, or even long-term planning-it was about Cade Povich.
Yes, the same Cade Povich who wrapped up his 2025 campaign with a 3-8 record and a 5.21 ERA. The Orioles aren’t just betting on a bounce-back-they’re betting big.
According to Elias, the front office believes Povich is ready to make the leap and anchor the top of the rotation. “We want Cade to reach 180-200 innings this year and be elite,” Elias said.
That’s not a developmental goal-that’s an expectation.
It’s a bold move, especially in a division that doesn’t leave much room for error. The AL East is once again shaping up to be a gauntlet. The Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays all have legitimate playoff aspirations, and the margin between a division crown and a Wild Card spot could come down to one or two arms in the rotation.
That’s where the Orioles' gamble gets interesting. Valdez would’ve brought a proven, playoff-tested presence to the staff.
But Baltimore is choosing to ride with its young core, and Povich is squarely at the center of that plan. The lefty has shown flashes of potential, but now he’ll need to show consistency, durability, and poise-fast.
To support that push, the Orioles made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason by signing Pete Alonso. That move wasn’t just about adding power to the lineup-it was about leadership, postseason experience, and raising the ceiling for a team that believes it’s ready to contend. Alonso brings instant credibility to a clubhouse full of rising stars, and his presence should help stabilize the offense through the ups and downs of a long season.
Baltimore’s approach is clear: trust the youth, supplement with smart veteran adds, and don’t mortgage the future for short-term gain. It’s a strategy that requires patience-and a little faith. But if Povich delivers on the front office’s bold projection, and Alonso provides the punch they’re counting on, the Orioles could be right back in the thick of the playoff hunt.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting them together.