The Orioles have made it no secret this offseason: they’re in the market for a frontline starter. And while most of the recent buzz has centered around their pursuit of Framber Valdez, it turns out Baltimore came a lot closer to landing another high-end lefty than many realized - Ranger Suárez.
At one point this winter, the Orioles weren’t just in the mix for Suárez - they were leading the charge. According to reports, Baltimore was the most aggressive team in the bidding for the 28-year-old before the Red Sox swooped in with a late push and ultimately snagged him.
It wasn’t just interest - there was a real, tangible path to a deal between Suárez and the Orioles. But Boston closed the gap late in the game, and that was that.
Now, Orioles fans are left wondering what could’ve been. Suárez, with his poise on the mound and postseason pedigree, would’ve been a perfect fit atop Baltimore’s young rotation.
He’s the kind of arm that doesn’t just eat innings - he elevates a pitching staff. The fact that the Orioles were in such deep negotiations suggests they were ready to make a serious commitment.
That’s significant, especially for a team that’s been relatively conservative when it comes to big-ticket free agent pitching in recent years.
Scott Boras, Suárez’s agent, hinted that Boston had to play catch-up in the final stages of negotiations. That tells us Baltimore was right there - perhaps even in the lead - until the very end. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially considering Suárez ended up with a division rival.
This near-miss also casts a new light on Baltimore’s ongoing talks with Valdez. If the Orioles were willing to go big for Suárez, it stands to reason they’re prepared to do the same for Valdez - or at least something close to it.
There’s been chatter that Valdez may have to settle for a shorter-term deal than he initially anticipated, which could play in Baltimore’s favor. But the key question remains: was it the years, the average annual value, or both that ultimately kept the Orioles from closing the deal with Suárez?
We may never get the full details of what Baltimore put on the table, but even this glimpse into the process shows the front office is serious about upgrading the rotation. The Orioles weren’t just window shopping - they were ready to buy. Now it’s about sealing the deal.
After a 2025 season that saw Baltimore emerge as a legitimate contender, the pressure is on to take that next step. Adding a top-tier starter is a big part of that equation.
Missing out on Suárez hurts, no doubt. But if the Orioles can take what they learned from that pursuit and apply it to the next big target - whether that’s Valdez or someone else - they’ll be in a much better position to get the deal done.
This offseason is far from over, and Baltimore still has time to make a splash. The Suárez saga is a reminder that the Orioles are playing in the deep end now. The only question is whether they’re ready to finish the job.