The Baltimore Orioles aren’t just dipping their toes into the offseason waters-they’re diving in headfirst. After trading for outfielder Taylor Ward from the Angels and signing reliever Ryan Helsley following his rocky stint with the Mets, GM Mike Elias has made it clear: this team is retooling for a serious run. And while the bullpen and outfield have seen early upgrades, the next item on the Orioles’ offseason checklist is loud and clear-starting pitching.
One name that’s surfaced as a potential perfect fit? Framber Valdez.
The veteran left-hander, who spent the last seven seasons anchoring the Houston Astros’ rotation, is being linked to Baltimore as an ideal target. At 32, Valdez might be the elder statesman among the top-tier arms on the market, but don’t let the age fool you-his resume speaks volumes. He’s got the experience, the postseason pedigree, and perhaps most appealing to front offices, the potential to sign for fewer years than some of the younger, flashier names on the board.
And make no mistake: Valdez can still deal.
His 2025 season ERA of 3.66 might not jump off the page at first glance, but when you zoom out, the consistency is undeniable. Across 188 career appearances with Houston, he’s posted a 3.36 ERA-steady, reliable, and often dominant.
Just a year prior, in 2024, Valdez turned in a sparkling 2.91 ERA over 28 starts, putting him among the league’s best. And let’s not forget his back-to-back All-Star campaigns in 2022 and 2023, or the instrumental role he played in helping the Astros capture the 2022 World Series title.
This is a pitcher who knows how to win-and how to pitch deep into October.
For the Orioles, who are coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign, adding a top-of-the-rotation arm like Valdez could be a game-changer. The rotation needs a stabilizing force, a guy who can take the ball every fifth day and give you a chance to win. Elias has already stated his desire to bolster the starting staff this winter, and Valdez fits the mold of the kind of pitcher who could elevate the entire group.
Of course, the market for arms is heating up fast. Tarik Skubal is generating major buzz, Japanese standout Tatsuya Imai is drawing international interest, and the Blue Jays have already made a splash with their massive $210 million deal for Dylan Cease-taking them out of the running for another big-money pitcher. That could work in Baltimore’s favor, as Valdez might not attract quite the same bidding war as some of the younger names.
Still, he won’t come cheap. But this is the kind of move that signals intent.
Elias has already shown he’s not sitting back this offseason. The additions of Ward and Helsley were strong early statements, but bringing in Valdez would be a bold exclamation point-a signal to the rest of the American League that the Orioles are serious about getting back into the postseason conversation.
The pieces are starting to come together in Baltimore. Now, it’s just a matter of when-and who-will round out the rotation. If that answer ends up being Framber Valdez, the Orioles' offseason could go from promising to downright dangerous.