Coming off a 2025 campaign that fell well short of expectations, the Baltimore Orioles entered the offseason with little interest in standing pat. A 75–87 finish left them anchored to the bottom of the American League East, a sobering outcome for a franchise that had hoped to take a meaningful step forward. Rather than treat that disappointment as a temporary setback, the Orioles’ front office has responded with urgency, turning the winter into one of the busiest and most aggressive periods the organization has seen in years.
Baltimore wasted little time making noise on the market. The headline move of the offseason came when the Orioles emerged as the surprise winners of the Pete Alonso sweepstakes, inking the veteran slugger to a five-year, $155 million deal. Landing a 31-year-old power hitter with Alonso’s résumé sent a clear message: the Orioles are serious about upgrading their lineup and changing the tone of the clubhouse. Alonso’s presence instantly alters the complexion of the offense, giving Baltimore a middle-of-the-order threat capable of anchoring the lineup and providing protection for the younger hitters around him.
But the Orioles did not stop there. Rather than focusing all their resources on one splashy signing, they opted for a broader approach, addressing multiple areas of need across the roster. The additions of Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge bolstered the bullpen, giving Baltimore more reliability and experience in late-game situations that were a recurring problem during the 2025 season. Helsley, in particular, brings swing-and-miss stuff that can shorten games when the Orioles have a lead, while Kittredge adds versatility and stability in high-leverage spots.
The front office also looked to strengthen the pitching staff beyond the bullpen. Acquiring Shane Baz provided a potential upside play for the rotation, a pitcher who, if healthy and consistent, could develop into a key contributor. On the offensive side, the Orioles added Taylor Ward, a move that improves their outfield depth and adds a bat with on-base ability and pop. These weren’t flashy signings in isolation, but together they reflect a more comprehensive effort to raise the team’s overall floor.
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In addition to external additions, Baltimore made sure to retain a familiar face by re-signing Zach Eflin to a one-year deal. While Eflin may not be viewed as a long-term cornerstone, bringing him back gives the rotation some continuity and a dependable innings-eater who can help stabilize things while younger arms develop or additional moves are pursued.
Despite the flurry of activity, the Orioles’ offseason still feels incomplete—and that may be by design. Even with the roster upgrades, there remains an obvious gap at the top of the starting rotation. Baltimore lacks a true ace, the kind of pitcher who can take the ball on Opening Day, halt losing streaks, and go toe-to-toe with the division’s elite arms. In a division as unforgiving as the AL East, that absence is magnified, and it explains why the Orioles have been persistently linked to one of the premier arms on the free-agent market.
Framber Valdez has loomed over Baltimore’s offseason discussions as a potential solution to that problem. The two-time All-Star left-hander represents exactly what the Orioles are missing: a proven frontline starter with postseason experience, durability, and the ability to dominate lineups deep into games. Valdez’s track record of inducing ground balls and limiting damage would play well in Camden Yards, and his presence would instantly elevate the credibility of Baltimore’s rotation.
Throughout the winter, the Orioles have been repeatedly mentioned as one of the teams most aggressively pursuing Valdez. Those connections have not faded as the offseason has progressed; if anything, they’ve grown louder. Reports continue to suggest that Baltimore is not only monitoring the situation but positioning itself as a legitimate contender to land the star pitcher. For a franchise that has often been cautious in free agency, that level of sustained interest is notable.
What makes the situation even more intriguing is the sense that Baltimore’s front office views Valdez as the final piece rather than just another addition. After addressing the lineup, the bullpen, and the back end of the rotation, the Orioles appear to be zeroing in on the one move that could tie everything together. Adding Valdez would not only improve the on-field product but also signal to the rest of the league—and to their own fan base—that Baltimore believes it can compete sooner rather than later.
Recent predictions around the league have only fueled that optimism. Insiders and analysts have suggested that the Orioles are in a strong position in the Valdez sweepstakes, citing both their financial flexibility and their clear need for an ace. While nothing is guaranteed in free agency, the tone surrounding Baltimore’s pursuit has shifted from speculative to genuinely hopeful.
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As the calendar inches closer to the 2026 season, it would be surprising if the Orioles simply declared their offseason complete. Everything about their approach so far points to a team that recognizes the urgency of the moment. After a 2025 season that left a bitter taste, Baltimore is acting like a franchise determined not to repeat the same mistakes. If they can cap this aggressive winter by landing a pitcher of Valdez’s caliber, the Orioles’ narrative could change dramatically—transforming a last-place finisher into one of the most intriguing rebound candidates in the American League.
Orioles Predicted to Sign Framber Valdez to Multi-Year Contract
In a recent Bleacher Report piece projecting what every MLB team’s starting rotation could look like in the 2026 season, Joel Reuter offered a prediction that immediately grabbed attention around the league. His outlook for the Baltimore Orioles stood out more than most, largely because it featured Framber Valdez not just as a member of the rotation, but as its unquestioned leader. Reuter went a step further by forecasting that Baltimore would land the left-hander in free agency on a three-year, $90 million contract, a move that would dramatically reshape the club’s pitching outlook.
Reuter explained why Baltimore continues to loom large in Valdez’s free-agent sweepstakes, noting that the Orioles have consistently appeared to be the most logical destination. As the offseason has progressed, many teams that once might have been considered serious contenders for Valdez have already addressed their rotation needs through trades or signings. That thinning market, according to Reuter, only strengthens Baltimore’s position. With fewer bidders remaining, the Orioles stand out as a team with both the motivation and the financial flexibility to make a bold play for a frontline starter.
The proposed contract structure also plays a significant role in the appeal. Reuter suggested a three-year deal worth $90 million, potentially including opt-outs after each season. That kind of arrangement would provide benefits on both sides. For the Orioles, it would mean securing a proven ace without committing to an overly long-term contract that could become burdensome later. For Valdez, the opt-outs would offer flexibility, allowing him to reenter free agency sooner if he continues to perform at an elite level and the market shifts in his favor.
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For anyone who has followed the Orioles this offseason, seeing Valdez’s name linked to Baltimore yet again comes as no shock. The connection has been there for months, and the logic behind it is easy to understand. Baltimore has been searching for a true top-of-the-rotation arm—someone who can take the ball on Opening Day, stabilize the staff, and set the tone in big series. Valdez checks every one of those boxes. He brings postseason experience, durability, and a track record of success against top competition, all traits the Orioles have been lacking at the very top of their rotation.
On paper, the fit is hard to argue against. The Orioles have built an exciting young core, one that has proven it can compete but still has clear areas that need reinforcement. While the lineup and position-player depth have drawn plenty of praise, the rotation has often felt like the missing piece separating Baltimore from the league’s true heavyweights. Adding Valdez would instantly change that perception. Instead of hoping for internal growth alone, the Orioles would be making a statement that they are ready to supplement their young talent with established star power.
Signing Valdez would also align perfectly with the broader strategy Baltimore appears to be following this winter. The organization has made it clear—both through its actions and through public messaging—that simply being competitive is no longer enough. The goal is to be a genuine contender, not just in the division, but across the American League. Bringing in a pitcher of Valdez’s caliber would signal a shift from cautious progress to assertive ambition, a move designed to push the team closer to championship contention.
There is also the American League East factor to consider. Competing in one of baseball’s toughest divisions requires more than depth; it requires star-level performance, especially on the mound. Facing lineups like those in New York, Toronto, and Boston on a regular basis demands pitchers who can neutralize elite hitters and go deep into games. Valdez has shown he can do exactly that, using his heavy sinker and ability to generate ground balls to limit damage even when contact is made.
From a roster-construction standpoint, Valdez’s presence would have a ripple effect throughout the Orioles’ rotation. Younger pitchers would benefit from not being forced into roles they may not yet be ready to handle. Instead of asking multiple arms to perform like aces by committee, Baltimore could anchor the staff with Valdez and allow the rest of the rotation to slot in more naturally. That kind of structure often leads to improved performance across the board, not just from the top starter.
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Financially, a three-year, $90 million deal represents a significant investment, but it is one that makes sense given where the Orioles are in their competitive cycle. With a core that is entering or already in its prime, now is the time to take calculated risks. The shorter-term nature of the contract reduces long-term exposure while still delivering high-impact value in the immediate future. If Valdez performs as expected, the deal could look like a bargain relative to the production he provides.
Ultimately, Reuter’s prediction underscores a growing consensus around the league: the Orioles are no longer a rebuilding team waiting patiently for the future to arrive. They are actively positioning themselves to be a force in 2026 and beyond. Landing Framber Valdez would be a defining move in that evolution, one that would validate the organization’s ambitions and reshape expectations for the season ahead.
Whether the prediction ultimately comes true remains to be seen, but the idea itself feels increasingly realistic. The interest is real, the fit is obvious, and the timing appears right. If the Orioles do manage to land Valdez, it would not just be another free-agent signing—it would be a declaration that Baltimore is ready to stand toe-to-toe with baseball’s elite.
Valdez Should Continue to Have Other Suitors
For much of the offseason, the Baltimore Orioles have consistently surfaced as a logical destination for Valdez, but they are far from alone in the race. As winter has dragged on, it’s become clear that several other organizations are closely monitoring the situation and positioning themselves as potential contenders.
Teams such as the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, and Atlanta Braves have all been linked to Valdez at various points, signaling that this is shaping up to be a competitive pursuit rather than a foregone conclusion.
That level of interest isn’t surprising. Valdez is widely regarded as the premier pitching option still available, and impact arms of his caliber rarely linger on the market. In an era where reliable starting pitching is both expensive and scarce, clubs with postseason aspirations are naturally drawn to someone who can anchor a rotation or, at the very least, elevate it significantly.
Each of the teams rumored to be involved has its own motivation. Some are looking to solidify the top of their rotation, while others view Valdez as a stabilizing presence who can soak up innings and reduce pressure on younger arms.
The Giants, for example, have spent recent seasons searching for a true frontline starter to complement their depth-oriented approach. The Padres, meanwhile, are constantly balancing financial constraints with a desire to remain competitive in a tough division, making a calculated strike on an elite pitcher an appealing gamble.
The Mets are always looming in high-profile free-agent discussions, especially when rotation questions remain unanswered. Detroit has quietly been trying to accelerate its climb back into contention, and adding a pitcher like Valdez could serve as both a statement and a shortcut. Atlanta, despite its sustained success, is never shy about reinforcing an already strong roster if the opportunity presents itself.
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Still, even with all that competition, Baltimore continues to stand out as perhaps the cleanest and most compelling fit. The Orioles boast a young, ascending core that appears ready to contend now, and their rotation, while promising, could benefit greatly from the presence of a proven, high-end arm. Valdez would not only bring experience and consistency but also provide leadership to a staff filled with developing talent. From a roster-construction standpoint, the match feels natural, almost inevitable.
That said, baseball’s offseason rarely follows a straight line. Market dynamics, contract length, financial flexibility, and timing can all shift the landscape quickly. A team that appears to be a secondary player today could emerge as a serious threat tomorrow with the right offer or change in priorities. For Baltimore, the question isn’t whether Valdez makes sense—it’s whether the front office is willing to outmaneuver a crowded field to secure him.
As things stand, the Orioles remain firmly in the spotlight, but the presence of multiple motivated suitors ensures that nothing is guaranteed. The coming weeks should reveal whether Baltimore can turn strong interest into a finished deal, or if one of the other teams lurking in the background ultimately swoops in and lands the most coveted pitcher still on the board.
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