The Baltimore Orioles have been one of the biggest spenders this offseason. While they've added Pete Alonso, Ryan Helsley, and Zach Eflin in free agency, their other big additions have come in the trade market.
Taylor Ward and Shane Baz are now with the Orioles and have made for a strong overall roster. But one thing is still missing: another frontline starter. But after the Boston Red Sox unexpectedly signed Ranger Suarez, there is only one such starter left on the market.
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand links the Orioles to this lone remaining ace, lefty Framber Valdez, as the Orioles could counter the Red Sox's signing of Suarez by adding the other top lefty free-agent starter this winter.
Orioles could counter Red Sox's Ranger Suarez with Framber Valdez deal
"For teams still seeking a starter, 200-inning type to lead their rotation," Feinsand writes, "I'm thinking about the Orioles and Mets, two teams that have been connected to Valdez all winter -- the addition of Valdez would still seem to make sense."
Baltimore has been exploring the starting pitching market, and while they were showing interest in Suarez before he signed with the Red Sox, Valdez is not a bad fallback.
Even with the New York Mets involved, they've been tied to Kyle Tucker and other big-name free agents, and very well could get beaten by the Orioles in Valdez's market.
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As long as Baltimore is willing to go five years, they should be more than capable of signing Valdez this winter despite strong interest from the Mets.
With the Red Sox adding Suarez to their already strogn rotation, the Orioles need to respond, and could do with Valdez coming to Baltimore.
He's a 32-year-old lefty who's spent his career with the Houston Astros. Since 2022, across 121 starts, Valdez has a 3.21 ERA and is one of the better starters in the Majors in that span.
The Orioles have the perfect opportunity to counter the recent big free-agent signing from the Red Sox. Adding Valdez to the rotation would be ideal, as he'd pair nicely with Trevor Rogers atop the rotation for Baltimore in 2026 and beyond.
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