Mets interest or not, this Orioles free agent target still makes perfect sense

At least one rumor has pointed to the New York Mets being the favorite to sign free-agent starting pitcher Framber Valdez, with the potential contract being worth $200 million for 6 years. With a report over the weekend highlighting the Mets' dysfunction last season, Valdez being added to the mix certainly would be a curious choice. However, the fact that contract numbers are already being floated should serve as a reminder for the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles entered the offseason with the impression that adding to the rotation would be their priority; however, their early moves have suggested otherwise. They traded a starting pitcher, albeit an unreliable one, to address their need for a power-hitting outfielder, and their biggest free-agent signing to date was for an All-Star closer who may need some fixing.

Signing Ryan Helsley is an indicator that the Orioles are actually ready to put their money where their mouth is, and that should lead to them trying to get a deal done with Valdez as soon as possible.

Framber Valdez remains an ideal free-agent target for the Orioles, and they have the money to make it happen.

With Dylan Cease already off the market, it feels like Valdez could easily sign before the Winter Meetings next, especially since he already met with teams at the GM Meetings last month. Even if the Mets are the "favorites" for the former Houston Astros' ace, the Orioles must get involved in the conversation.

Along those lines, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand points to Valdez as being the perfect free-agent fit for Baltimore. Citing his postseason experience with the Astros, years of reliability, and potential of signing a short-term deal, Valdez could check the box for the rotation-needy Orioles.

It will be curious to see how Cease's contract with the Toronto Blue Jays shifts the market. The overall value of the deal is $210 million, but deferrals push the present-day value closer to $180 million. $180 million felt like it could have been the ceiling for Valdez's contract, but it's likely higher now, considering he was viewed as the top arm on the free-agent market.

It may sound lazy, but given the past year of Orioles' baseball, they just need to come away with one of the top arms available this offseason. Valdez would seemingly be the easiest option, considering they have the money to make it worth his while. He has red flags, mostly tied to his character, but the Orioles can't walk away from the offseason with no rotation upgrade, like they did last winter.