The Baltimore Orioles have quietly put together one of the most impactful offseasons in baseball-without the headline-chasing splash of teams like the Dodgers, Mets, or Blue Jays. But don’t let the lack of spotlight fool you: this Orioles front office, led by GM Mike Elias, has been working with purpose, and the results are starting to take shape.
Baltimore has already added some serious talent this winter. They brought in Pete Alonso, Ryan Helsley, and Zach Eflin through free agency, while swinging trades for Shane Baz and Taylor Ward. That’s a mix of power, pitching depth, and upside that immediately raises the floor-and ceiling-of this roster.
But there may be one more move coming. And it’s a big one.
According to ESPN’s Paul Hembekides, the Orioles are predicted to land left-handed ace Framber Valdez on a six-year, $180 million deal. That kind of signing wouldn’t just cap off a busy offseason-it would launch Baltimore into a new tier of contention.
Let’s break it down.
Valdez, a 32-year-old southpaw who’s spent his career with the Houston Astros, brings the kind of stability and postseason experience Baltimore’s rotation could use. In 2025, he posted a 3.66 ERA with 187 strikeouts and a 1.24 WHIP. That’s not ace-level dominance, but it’s more than solid-and when you pair that with his 2024 numbers (2.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP over 176.1 innings), you’re looking at a pitcher who’s proven he can carry the load over a full season.
He’s not just a regular-season innings eater, either. Valdez has been through the October grind. He’s battle-tested, and that matters for a young Orioles team that’s looking to turn regular-season promise into deep playoff runs.
Now, $180 million over six years is a hefty price tag. But in today’s market, it’s not outrageous-especially when you consider that Ranger Suárez just secured $130 million over five years from Boston. Valdez’s resume arguably stacks up better, and the Orioles, with most of their core still on pre-arbitration or arbitration deals, are in a rare financial window to make a move like this.
There’s also a sense that Baltimore might be getting Valdez at a slight discount. His free-agent market hasn’t exploded the way some expected, in part because teams like the Mets have already addressed their rotation needs. That opens the door for the Orioles to swoop in and make a deal that balances risk and reward.
If this move happens-and that’s still an "if"-it would mark a serious shift in how Baltimore is operating. This isn’t just about adding talent; it’s about making a statement.
A Valdez signing would vault the Orioles past the Dodgers and Blue Jays in total free-agent spending this offseason. More importantly, it would give them a legitimate frontline starter to pair with a rotation that’s already taken big steps forward.
With Alonso anchoring the middle of the lineup, Baz adding youthful electricity to the staff, and Helsley bringing late-inning firepower, the Orioles are building something real. Adding Valdez would turn that “something” into a full-blown contender.
The Orioles have been patient, methodical, and smart. If they land Framber Valdez, they’ll also be fearless. And that might just be the final piece in a team ready to chase a championship.