This would be bad news for the rest of the AL East.
The Baltimore Orioles have already added Shane Baz to their rotation this season, and they brought back Zach Eflin.
On Monday, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicted that the Orioles will make one more huge splash in the form of left-hander Framber Valdez, the biggest fish remaining on the free-agent market.
As part of an article predicting each team’s Opening Day rotation, Valdez was at the top of Reuter’s envisioned rotation for Baltimore, followed by Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Baz, and Eflin.
“The Orioles have long been the most likely landing spot for Framber Valdez, and now that his market has been whittled down by other potential suitors filling holes in their rotations, it remains the most likely outcome for his free agency,” Reuter wrote. “A three-year, $90 million deal with opt-outs after each season could make sense for both sides, giving the O’s a bona fide ace and Valdez a chance to revisit the market next winter.”
Reuter also listed “other internal candidates” for the Orioles’ rotation, mentioning Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells, Cade Povich, Brandon Young, and Chayce McDermott.