When it comes to the top remaining free agent pitchers, the Baltimore Orioles have been linked to them. The name that was mentioned the most with the Orioles was left-hander Ranger Suarez. On Wednesday, his name came off the board of free agents when he signed with the Boston Red Sox for five years and $130 million.
That was a move that caught many people off guard, but it gives the Red Sox a deep rotation in the American League East. The biggest name in free agency went off the board before the Winter Meetings in December when Dylan Cease signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. Another AL East that is loading up with pitching.
After Michael King re-signed with the San Diego Padres last month, the free agent market for starting pitching is falling fast. The biggest name remaining is Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez. He is someone who has been linked to Baltimore. Now that Suarez is off the board, one MLB analyst believes the market for Valdez is down to two teams.
MLB Analyst Steve Phillip Says Framber Valdez’s Market is Down to the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets
All eyes turn to Framber Valdez when it comes to the next free agent pitching domino to fall. Steve Phillips, a former MLB general manager, joined the MLB Network and said that the Orioles and New York Mets are the likely destinations for Valdez.
“But for Framber Valdez, now also represented by Scott Boras, I think getting the five years for Suarez, I think that, even a couple years older, you’re going to get five years for Framber Valdez. He was an outfielder coming up in the organization, transitioned to pitching. He wasn’t a young pitcher who logged all kinds of youthful innings. And so, yeah, he’s a little bit older, but he’s a workhorse on the mound,” said Phillips.
Baltimore making a push for Valdez would make sense. They have spent this winter and need a starting pitcher. They swooped in and landed first baseman Pete Alonso from the Mets over the Red Sox. That’s a big bat for the lineup. Adding Valdez would be a huge addition to their starting rotation.
Can the Orioles Outbid Mets and Other Teams for Framber Valdez?
Wherever Valdez ends up, he’s going to be a massive addition for that team and rotation. He is a top-of-rotation starter who pitches a lot of innings and is capable of pitching deep into October. However, after Valdez, Phillips believes there’s a huge drop-off to the next best remaining arm, Zac Gallen.
“I think it’s down between the Orioles and the Mets. And I think that really the fall off after Framber Valdez to Zach Gallen, I think, is significant,” said Phillips. “I think there’s some unpredictability with Gallen. Framber is one of the most predictable pitchers.”
If Baltimore is serious about contending in the AL East and in the postseason, adding an arm like Valdez is a must. They could address the need through a trade, but Valdez is the type of pitcher who doesn’t come along every day. All eyes are on him to see where he lands ahead of spring training next month.
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