Robert Murray thinks the Baltimore Orioles are ready to make another big move this offseason, and fans should pay attention.
The Baltimore Orioles finished last season with a 75-87 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022 after dealing with injuries and struggles throughout the year.
But if you ask MLB insiders, the team has done everything right this winter to put themselves back in the hunt, and they might not be finished just yet.
On the Baseball Insider's Podcast, Robert Murray made it clear that Baltimore should be on everyone's radar for the rest of the offseason.
"If there's a team that can make a splash on the free agent market, it's going to be the Baltimore Orioles," Murray said. "They need a starting pitcher, they've got money to spend...I think they have another move in them."
What the Orioles Have Done So Far
Baltimore has been one of the busiest teams in baseball this winter, making moves that signal they are ready to compete right now.
The biggest splash came with the signing of first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal after he hit .272 with 38 home runs and 126 RBI for the New York Mets in 2025.
That deal is the largest free agent signing in franchise history, which shows just how serious the front office is about winning.
The Orioles also traded for outfielder Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels and gave up pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez to get him done.
They added closer Ryan Helsley on a two-year, $28 million contract, re-signed Zach Eflin to a one-year deal, and pulled off a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for starting pitcher Shane Baz, giving up four prospects and a draft pick in the process.
With stars like Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg, and Jackson Holliday already on the roster, the lineup looks like one of the best in the American League.
Some analysts have even called them a potential World Series contender for 2026.
What Valdez or Gallen Would Bring
Despite all those additions, the Orioles are still missing one thing—a true ace at the top of the rotation.
That is where free agents Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen come into the picture, and either one would change the outlook for this team heading into the season.
Valdez, who spent his entire career with the Houston Astros, has been one of the most consistent starters in baseball over the past few years.
According to Baseball Reference, he posted a 3.66 ERA with 192 innings pitched and 187 strikeouts in 2025, and his career numbers are even better with an 81-52 record and a 3.36 ERA over 1,080.2 innings.
He is a two-time All-Star and helped Houston win the 2022 World Series, which means he brings both talent and experience that the Orioles could really use.
Gallen is another option for Baltimore, though he comes with more risk after a rough 2025 season.
The former Arizona Diamondbacks starter had a career-worst 4.83 ERA in 33 starts last year according to Baseball Reference, though he still managed to pitch 192 innings and has a strong track record with a career 3.58 ERA.
He is just 30 years old and could bounce back in a big way with a change of scenery, and he would likely cost less than Valdez on the open market.
Either pitcher would give Baltimore the front-of-the-rotation starter they need to compete with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays in what figures to be a brutal AL East race this year.
Murray seems to believe the Orioles have the money and the motivation to make it happen, and with spring training just a couple of weeks away, time is running out for them to act.