The Baltimore Orioles are planning to be big spenders this offseason, and after trading for Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels, those plans have begun to come to fruition.
While there's still a lot of work that needs to be done with the roster, Mike Elias and the Orioles are planning on adding a closer and a starting pitcher.
Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic brought up one name that Elias could wind up targeting, and it's a player he has ties to back to his days with the Houston Astros.
Orioles linked to Astros' left-hander with ties to Mike Elias
"Executives often maintain a fondness for players they signed as amateurs." Sammon and Rosenthal write. "Elias was the Houston Astros' scouting director who chose free agent third baseman Alex Bregman second and Kyle Tucker fifth in the first round of the 2015 draft."
While Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman are some of the top free agents and would be interesting additions, there is another player, a veteran pitcher with a 3.36 career ERA in Houston, who could be a great addition. That pitcher is Framber Valdez.
"Another current free agent," Rosenthal and Sammon write, "Dominican left-hander Framber Valdez, was in the Astros' international class that same year."
Bregman might not be a realistic target with a crowded infield, and Tucker might be too hard to acquire with what's looking like an expensive free agent market. Valdez would be a realistic target, on the other hand.
More: Former MLB GM links Orioles to three-time NPB All-Star pitcher
The veteran lefty has pitched in the Major Leagues for eight years, all with the Astros. He has a career 3.36 ERA, and is coming off a solid 3.66 ERA season across 31 starts.
Valdez was on the All-Star team in 2022 and 2023 and has shown the ability to be an elite starter. In 2022, when the Astros won the World Series, he had a 1.44 ERA in four starts during the playoffs for Houston.
He's 32 years old and has a lot of mileage on his arm, but he's one of the best pitchers available on the market. With the need for another starter alongside Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish, Valdez is a realistic option for Baltimore this offseason.
The connection with Valdez and Elias makes this free agent pairing a likely one. Baltimore could wind up with a strong rotation with another strong starter, and Valdez would fit the bill for Elias and company as they look to spend big this offseason.
More Orioles News:
- Orioles' Tyler O'Neill makes big contract decision ahead of free agency
- Orioles trade pitch lands Astros' 2.28 ERA reliever in 'Wild' three-team deal
- Orioles urged to re-sign former AL wins leader despite injury concerns
- Who is Craig Albernaz? Meet the new Orioles skipper who spent the 2025 season with Guardians