The Baltimore Orioles haven’t just dipped into the offseason pool - they’ve gone full cannonball. After years of measured roster building, the O’s have come out swinging this winter, adding serious firepower in both free agency and the trade market.
Pete Alonso brings thunder to the middle of the lineup, Ryan Helsley shores up the late innings, and Zach Eflin provides a steady veteran presence in the rotation. Throw in trades for Taylor Ward and Shane Baz, and suddenly Baltimore's roster looks playoff-ready on paper.
But there’s still one piece missing - a true frontline starter. And with Ranger Suárez unexpectedly landing in Boston, the list of available aces has thinned dramatically. That leaves one name standing tall above the rest: Framber Valdez.
According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, the Orioles remain firmly in the mix for the 32-year-old left-hander, who’s become the top remaining starting pitcher on the market. Feinsand specifically mentions Baltimore - along with the Mets - as a logical landing spot for Valdez, noting that both clubs have been linked to him throughout the offseason.
For the Orioles, this wouldn’t just be a luxury move. It would be a statement.
Boston’s addition of Suárez strengthens an already formidable rotation, and if Baltimore wants to keep pace in what’s shaping up to be a brutal AL East, they’ll need to match that kind of firepower. Valdez would do exactly that.
Let’s talk fit. Valdez is the kind of innings-eater every contender dreams about.
Since 2022, he’s made 121 starts and posted a 3.21 ERA - rock-solid numbers that speak to both consistency and durability. He’s not just a workhorse, he’s a high-quality one, capable of leading a rotation deep into October.
And for a Baltimore team that’s been building toward sustained contention, he represents the kind of win-now move that could push them over the top.
The Orioles were reportedly in on Suárez before he chose Boston, so their interest in adding another starter is no secret. Valdez, in many ways, is an even better fit.
He’s left-handed, experienced, and postseason-tested - a perfect complement to Trevor Rogers at the top of the rotation. The two southpaws could give Baltimore a dynamic 1-2 punch, especially in a division where every series feels like a playoff preview.
Of course, the Mets are also lurking. They’ve been tied to Valdez and other marquee names this winter, and they’ve got the spending power to be aggressive.
But if Baltimore is willing to go to five years - a reasonable ask for a pitcher of Valdez’s caliber - they should be right in the thick of the bidding. The Orioles have already shown they’re not afraid to open the checkbook this offseason.
One more bold move could cap off a transformative winter.
Bottom line: the Orioles have built something real this offseason. But if they want to keep pace with the Red Sox and the rest of a loaded AL East, adding Framber Valdez could be the final touch.
He’s the kind of arm that changes the tone of a clubhouse and the trajectory of a season. Baltimore’s already made noise this winter - now it’s time to make a statement.