The Baltimore Orioles remain in pursuit of left-hander Framber Valdez.
The Baltimore Orioles continue to make their presence felt on the MLB free‑agent landscape as they pursue top pitching help this offseason.
While Baltimore already fields a strong offensive core and a deep rotation, adding a proven starter in free agency could be the difference between a very good team and a legitimate World Series contender.
At the center of the chatter surrounding the free‑agent pitching market is left‑hander Framber Valdez, a seasoned performer with a track record of success and durability.
Valdez, who spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Houston Astros, is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished pitchers available.
Over his career, he has compiled an 81‑52 record with a 3.36 ERA and 1,053 strikeouts across 1,080 2/3 innings, showing consistency and the ability to handle a starter’s workload year after year.
Last season, Valdez continued to demonstrate that he can be an effective rotation piece, finishing with a 13‑11 record, 3.66 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 192 innings pitched over 31 starts. While not his most dominant statistical campaign, those numbers still place him among the more reliable arms on the free‑agent market.
Beyond the surface figures, Valdez’s elite ground‑ball tendencies make him a desirable fit for teams that value pitching that induces weak contact and limits big innings.
Valdez’s track record also includes notable career accolades. He is a two‑time All‑Star and was a key contributor to the Astros’ 2022 World Series championship, giving him postseason experience that few free agents can match.
These accomplishments underscore his value not only as a complement to a rotation but as a potential leader on the mound for a contender like the Orioles.
Interest in Valdez from Baltimore has been notable throughout the offseason. On a recent episode of MLB Network’s Hot Stove coverage, longtime executive Steve Phillips offered strong praise for Valdez’s talent and durability along with a prediction on where he will end up as Spring Training approaches.
“Personally, I had Framber [Valdez] ranked as my number one starting pitcher available. I know he’s a little older, but he was signed as an outfielder, and he doesn’t have a lot of wear and tear on that arm. He’s a bulldog and a workhorse on the mound,” Phillips said.
He continued, “Now, the Orioles seem to be the top team there. And it makes sense because Mike Elias knows him from his days in Houston. There’s a connection there. But the longer it goes, the more it makes you wonder whether somebody surprising jumps in there on it. I can’t imagine it goes much further. There’s not any more money or years you’re going to get from people. The offers are the offers. I’ll be shocked if he’s not an Oriole when it’s all said and done.”
That connection between Valdez and Orioles general manager Mike Elias, who previously worked in Houston, could give Baltimore an edge in negotiations and translate to a strong fit culturally and competitively. With the New York Mets also showing interest, the market may still evolve before Valdez signs his next contract.