Orioles Predicted To Sign Top Free Agent Arm To $114 Million Deal

The Baltimore Orioles have already had a splash of an offseason, highlighted by their epic Winter Meetings-timed signing of slugger Pete Alonso.

Before Alonso, Orioles PBO Mike Elias had already done well to add a veteran reliever (Ryan Helsley) and a proven outfielder (Taylor Ward) to Baltimore’s already-talented roster.

Indeed, the Orioles have bolstered their lineup in a way that should concern the rest of the American League East. ESPN’s Jeff Passan went as far as to say that Baltimore now boasts the best lineup in all of baseball. That might be a stretch, but still … the O’s are relevant again.

The Baltimore Orioles lineup might have the best lineup in baseball. Whatever order Craig Albernaz chooses, he’s got Gunnar Henderson, Pete Alonso, Jordan Westburg, Taylor Ward, Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, Sam Basallo, Dylan Beavers and Colton Cowser. A wrecking crew.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 10, 2025

But hold on a sec. Baltimore still lacks enough starting pitching to be taken seriously. Trevor Rogers (a revelation in 2025) and Kyle Bradish are two awesome arms to have in the rotation. Still, the proven quality ends there for the Orioles, and that’s simply not going to get it done over the course of a 162-game campaign in MLB’s best division.

This is why virtually all pundits are expecting Elias to go out and get another impact starting pitcher, particularly one who can take the ball on Opening Day or be a legit No. 2. 

That seems like a lot to ask, but there are still at least a couple of verifiable guys that fit that description available in free agency. Ranger Suárez is one of them. Framber Valdez is another.

"I think he's got the best left-handed curveball for a starting pitcher in the game."#MLBNHotStove discusses best fits for Framber Valdez. pic.twitter.com/BK3QddFTPl

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 12, 2025

Valdez is more or less considered the top starting pitcher still floating on the FA market, and on Friday, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicted that the Orioles will sign Valdez to a four-year, $114 million deal, despite Valdez’s character concerns.

“Framber Valdez is an appealing free agent in the sense that he’s posted the fifth-highest WAR (16.5) and logged the second-most innings pitched (767.2) since the 2022 season,” Kelly wrote.

“However, he posted a 5.20 ERA after making his second career All-Star Game appearance, and it’s still hard to shake the bizarre situation in September where he appeared to purposely cross up catcher César Salazar. Given how bizarre the finish for Valdez was in 2025, he probably won’t be back with the Astros. It’s unclear if any other potential suitors will be turned off by how things ended in Houston.”

Kelly also noted that the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets could be in on Valdez, who was 13-11 in 2025 with a 3.66 ERA, 3.38 FIP, 187 strikeouts, and 4.0 WAR in 192 innings pitched for Houston.