If the Baltimore Orioles are serious about making noise in the American League East this season, there’s one move that should be at the top of their to-do list: signing Framber Valdez.
The Orioles have already made it clear they’re not sitting idle this offseason. They’ve added some serious pop to their lineup, trading for Taylor Ward and landing Pete Alonso in free agency.
That’s two 30-homer bats joining a young, dynamic core that includes Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, Gunnar Henderson, and Adley Rutschman. That lineup has the potential to be one of the most dangerous in the league - a group built to do damage and push the Orioles back into the postseason after falling short last year.
But in the AL East, where the margin for error is razor-thin, offense alone won’t cut it. This division is shaping up to be a gauntlet once again, and Baltimore knows it.
They've already taken steps to shore up the bullpen - a group that finished 25th in ERA last season (4.57). Bringing back Andrew Kittredge via trade with the Cubs and signing Ryan Helsley in free agency are smart moves that give the 'pen more depth and reliability.
Still, the biggest question mark remains the starting rotation. That’s where the Orioles need to swing big - and Valdez fits that bill.
Right now, the rotation features Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, and newly acquired Shane Baz as the top three. Rogers had a breakout season, putting up a 1.81 ERA across 109.2 innings with a solid 103:29 K-to-BB ratio.
Bradish, coming off Tommy John surgery, returned late last season and looked sharp in limited action - 2.53 ERA and 47 strikeouts in just 32 innings. If those two can stay healthy, Baltimore has a strong foundation.
Baz, meanwhile, finally got through a full season without injury in 2025. The results were mixed - a 4.87 ERA over 166.1 innings - but the 176 strikeouts show the swing-and-miss stuff is there. He’s a high-upside arm still figuring things out at the big-league level.
After that, it’s Dean Kremer and Zach Eflin rounding out the rotation. Kremer was serviceable with a 4.19 ERA, but Eflin struggled mightily, finishing with a 5.93 ERA.
If the Orioles want to keep pace in a loaded division, they can’t afford to roll the dice with the back end of the rotation. That’s where Valdez comes in.
The former Astros southpaw brings exactly what Baltimore needs: durability, experience, and the ability to eat innings at a high level. Over the last four seasons, Valdez has thrown at least 175 innings each year while keeping his ERA under 3.70. That kind of consistency is hard to find in today’s game.
Last season, he racked up 187 strikeouts in 192 innings. Yes, command was an issue - he walked a career-high 68 batters and uncorked 12 wild pitches - but he also limited the long ball better than ever, posting a career-low 12.3% home run-to-flyball ratio. In other words, even when he wasn’t at his sharpest, he found ways to keep the damage in check.
Adding Valdez would do more than just replace Kremer or Eflin - it would give the Orioles a second lefty in the rotation alongside Rogers, adding a different look to a righty-heavy division. It would also take pressure off the bullpen by giving them a legitimate innings-eater who can go deep into games.
Baltimore’s front office has already shown it’s willing to invest in a winning roster. Now it’s about finishing the job.
The offense is playoff-caliber. The bullpen is improved.
But if the Orioles want to be more than just a team with potential - if they want to be a serious contender in the AL East - they need to bring in another top-tier starter.
Framber Valdez checks every box.