The Baltimore Orioles have had one of the best offseasons in the MLB. The Orioles have signed Pete Alonso, while shoring up their bullpen with Ryan Helsley. Other acquisitions include trading for Taylor Ward, Shane Baz, and Andrew Kittredge, while resigning Zach Eflin. Even with those additions, the Orioles do not seem to be done making moves.
Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Orioles are one of two teams that have been the most connected in the pursuit of Framber Valdez. The other team in the race is the New York Mets, a team that has been relatively uninspiring this offseason.
Framber Valdez Fit With the Orioles
GettyFramber Valdez is the best free agent pitcher remaining.
Valdez is a pitcher who can step into any rotation and make an impact. He has been the ace and a workhorse in Houston, and that is what he will bring to whichever team signs him.
Over the last four seasons, Valdez has made 121 starts, thrown 767.2 innings, struck out 750 batters, and owns a 3.21 ERA. He has been healthy, and he has been extremely successful. Valdez has made two All-Star teams in that span and finished in the top 10 in the American League Cy Young race three times.
“You know he’s gonna pitch. You know what you’re getting,” Harold Reynolds said on MLB Network’s Hot Stove show.
Reynolds is absolutely right. The fewest starts Valdez has made in the last four seasons is 28, and the fewest innings pitched he has in that span is 176.1. Signing Valdez would give the Orioles a pitcher who stays healthy, while giving his team a chance to win every time he pitches.
Baltimore will be competing with the Mets to sign the left-hander, but they have been aggressive all offseason. It would be surprising to see them take their foot off the gas with Valdez.
The Orioles’ Rotation Heading Into 2026
GettyTrevor Rogers had a 1.81 ERA in 2025.
Missing out on Valdez would not be the end of the world for Baltimore. As it stands right now, the Orioles’ starting rotation consists of a healthy Kyle Bradish, an emerging Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Zach Eflin, and, most likely, Dean Kremer.
Rogers was the ace of the staff last season. He had an ERA under 2.00 over 109.2 innings pitched. That was far and away the best year of his career. The left-hander has to find a way to repeat in 2026, but Baltimore has every reason to be excited about him moving forward.
Bradish is set to pitch a full season in 2026, but health is a concern for him. When healthy, though, Bradish is a very good MLB pitcher. He has not had an ERA over 3.00 since his rookie year. However, the right-hander has made just 14 starts over the last two seasons.
Eflin is another pitcher battling injuries. He underwent season-ending back surgery in August of last year, but is expected to be ready for 2026. Still, that is a major operation, and the Orioles will not rush him back from it.
These are three of the top pitchers in the rotation at Camden Yard, and each of them have battled injuries of their own. Valdez has been healthy and reliable his whole career. If the Orioles have to adjust to more injuries from their rotation, they could at least count on Valdez to make his starts.
Orioles Offseason Not Done Yet, Team Still Battling for Top Free Agent Pitcher