Every reason Orioles haven’t signed Framber Valdez should make fans more frustrated

The Baltimore Orioles need a frontline starting pitcher, and Framber Valdez remains available on the free-agent market. It's a match that feels inevitable, but the fact that no deal has surfaced yet does speak to the level of concern that has surrounded Valdez this offseason and the Orioles for much of the past year.

At the start of the offseason, Valdez had the impression of being the best starter on the market, but as his free agency has stalled, teams may be highlighting his polarizing final season with the Houston Astros.

Meanwhile, the Orioles went out of their comfort zone to sign Pete Alonso earlier this offseason, but Mike Elias still has yet to prove that he is willing to make a similar commitment for a veteran starting pitcher.

List of potential reasons for Orioles’ inability to sign Framber Valdez so far are all red flags

There are multiple reasons why the Orioles may be shying away from Valdez, and while the veteran pitcher is to blame for some of them, Baltimore's history could also be playing a factor.

Baltimore Orioles are being cheap

The Orioles handed out $155 million to Alonso during the Winter Meetings, but Elias' tenure at the top of the front office has proved that he is afraid of giving out that type of deal to a veteran starting pitcher. If he wasn't, Corbin Burnes would likely still be in Baltimore. If the Orioles are low-balling Valdez's offer, it's hard to imagine a deal between the two sides being reached.

Framber Valdez is hung up on getting a massive pay day

On the other side of the coin, it's entirely possible that Valdez's camp hasn't lowered his asking price. Contract projections at the start of the offseason suggested the 32-year-old pitcher's next deal could approach $200 million. Dylan Cease crossed that threshold, and Ranger Suarez beat his projections, landing a $130 deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Framber Valdez’s character questions are accurate

Valdez's final season in Houston was not without drama. In the middle of the season, the veteran pitcher was quick to call out the team's coaching staff due to the positioning of the infield behind him. At the end of the season, Valdez intentionally crossed up his own battery mate. Valdez's camp has tried to downplay those character concerns, but given Elias' connection to the Astros, the Orioles could think he is too much of a character risk.

Framber Valdez doesn’t see Orioles as a contender

Given that the Orioles were one of baseball's most disappointing teams in 2025, it's possible that Valdez has an outdated view of the team. Of course, the Orioles can point to the moves they've made this offseason as the reason why his arrival would be the final piece to the puzzle.

None of these options is ideal for the Orioles, considering Valdez is the last frontline starting pitcher available this offseason. Either Baltimore will need to step outside their comfort zone, or hope that Valdez's concerns (contract or character) are exaggerated.

Otherwise, the Orioles way not cross of the final item on their to-do list before spring training.