Framber Valdez’s free‑agency decision has been narrowed to two teams, with the Orioles among the finalists.
The Baltimore Orioles remain firmly in contention for one of the premier arms on the free agent market, left‑hander Framber Valdez.
With his decision expected soon, the Orioles are reportedly among the finalists alongside the New York Mets, positioning themselves for a potential rotation‑altering addition.
Valdez, who debuted with the Houston Astros in 2018, has built a reputation as one of the most consistent and durable pitchers in the game.
Over eight seasons in Houston, he compiled an 81‑52 record with a 3.36 ERA, striking out more than 1,000 batters while logging over 1,000 innings. His ability to generate ground balls and limit damage has made him a reliable presence at the front of a rotation.
He was a two‑time All‑Star, a key contributor to the Astros’ 2022 World Series championship and set an MLB record with 25 consecutive quality starts in 2022.
Now entering free agency for the first time, Valdez declined Houston’s qualifying offer and is seeking a long‑term deal.
Analysts project him to command a contract in the range of five years and $150 million or more, reflecting both his track record and the scarcity of dependable starting pitching on the market.
MLB Network analyst Steve Phillips highlighted why Valdez is such a coveted target, noting his unique path to becoming a workhorse starter.
“But for Framber Valdez, now also represented by Scott Boras, I think getting the five years for Suarez, I think that still even a couple years older, you’re going to get five years for Framber Valdez. He was an outfielder coming up in the organization, transitioned to pitching. He wasn’t a young pitcher who logged all kinds of youthful innings. And so, yeah, he’s a little bit older, but he’s a workhorse on the mound,” Phillips said.
He added, “I think it’s down between the Orioles and the Mets. And I think that really the fall off after Framber Valdez to Zach Gallen, I think is significant. I think there’s some unpredictability with Gallen. Framber is one of the most predictable pitchers.”
For Baltimore, the pursuit of Valdez reflects their commitment to building on recent success and solidifying a rotation that has shown promise but still lacks a proven ace.
Adding Valdez would give the Orioles a dependable arm capable of delivering quality starts deep into the season and postseason.
With the Mets also in the mix, the decision looms as one of the defining moves of the offseason, and whichever team lands Valdez will secure a pitcher whose consistency and durability remain among the most respected in the league.