For a good part of the offseason, the Baltimore Orioles were linked to Houston Astros free agent left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez. It made sense for both sides. The Orioles need a top-of-the-rotation starter.
Baltimore got bad news on Wednesday night. Valdez agreed to a three-year, $115 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. It gives Detroit a lethal one-two punch of Tarik Skubal and Valdez. Right now, the Tigers arguably have the top rotation in the American League.
Sure, the Toronto Blue Jays would like a word after signing Dylan Cease earlier this offseason. Toronto still has a good rotation, but a Skubal/Valdez duo is going to be tough if they both stay healthy. Nobody would argue with that.
Now that Valdez is off the board and in Detroit, where do the Orioles turn to now? Mark Feinsand of MLB.com urged them to sign Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen before spring training begins next week.
Baltimore Orioles Urged to Sign Zac Gallen
Now that Valdez is gone, that leaves Gallen as the top starting pitcher that a team can slot at the top of their rotation. Lucas Giolito of the Boston Red Sox is still available, but he’s not a top-of-the-rotation starter. Feinsand believes Baltimore needs to pivot to Gallen to strengthen their rotation.
“Gallen makes the most sense for Baltimore, which is still in need of a frontline starter to slot at or near the top of the rotation,” Feinsand wrote.
Currently, the Orioles are penciled in to have Shane Baz, Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Zach Eflin, and Dean Kremer. There are a couple of youngsters who could be in the mix, but a veteran starter for the top of the rotation is clearly needed.
“Having added Shane Baz to a group that includes Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells, Cade Povich and Brandon Young, the Orioles have plenty of rotation depth, so unless they’re going to sign an impact starter — and Gallen is pretty much the only one left in free agency — I’m not sure it makes much sense for them to sign another mid-rotation starter,” wrote Feinsand.
Baltimore Orioles Need Another Starter to Compete in AL East
Baltimore added Baz through a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, but Gallen would be an addition the Orioles need. Pete Alonso was signed in free agency, and Taylor Ward was acquired by the Los Angeles Angels in a trade, but that doesn’t solve their need for starting pitching.
Looking around at the rest of the American League East, the top teams are loaded with pitching. The Blue Jays added Cease, and the Boston Red Sox added Ranger Suárez to slot in behind Garrett Crochet. As far as the New York Yankees go, they have injury concerns, but when healthy, it is still a very good rotation.
Pitching is the name of the game in baseball. Compared to the rest of the AL East and MLB, they are behind the top teams. If they are going to catch up to them, then signing a top-of-the-rotation starter is necessary. Right now, Gallen is the top remaining option.
Orioles Urged To Sign All-Star Free Agent Pitcher After Missing Out on Framber Valdez