Orioles fans rake Mike Elias over the coals after Framber Valdez lands with Tigers

Baltimore Orioles fans are waking to the realization that Framber Valdez won't be the big-ticket arrival that many expected him to be once spring training starts next week. Valdez signed a historic three-year deal with the Detroit Tigers, and Orioles fans have wasted no time in taking aim at Mike Elias for his failure to land another frontline starting pitcher in free agency.

The Orioles were among the most active teams during the early months of the offseason, and the impression was that Elias was learning from his past mistakes. They struck an early deal with Ryan Helsley to address the need at the backend of their bullpen, and made an upside swing in a trade for controllable starting pitcher Shane Baz. The early activity was capped off by the seismic signing of first baseman Pete Alonso.

They were all moves that had the Orioles headed in the right direction. However, there was an incomplete feel to the offseason. The Orioles needed a frontline starting pitcher, and Valdez was the obvious choice.

Mike Elias roasted by Orioles fans as Framber Valdez signs elsewhere

There's a little bit of past trauma resurfacing for Orioles fans. Throughout his entire tenure, Elias has shied away from large expenditures on starting pitching, and the greatest example of that was last offseason. Baltimore was on the inside track when Corbin Burnes became a free agent, but their hesitancy to give him a long-term deal pointed Burnes in the direction of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Over the past week, there have been clues that the Orioles were falling behind the Valdez sweepstakes. Baltimore has been connected to Lucas Giolito and Justin Verlander, and either of those veteran starting pitchers would match past deals that Elias has preferred. Former Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt could also be an option.

Even if the Orioles land one of those veterans, it's hard anoint them as the favorites in the American League East this season. That would be the reason adding someone like Valdez would have been a difference maker for Baltimore.

If the Orioles don't make the playoffs, it's hard to justify Elias keeping his job. Especially when the farm system isn't nearly as talented as it once was. The Orioles were having a strong offseason, but spring training will seemingly start with fans feeling the roster is incomplete.

The goodwill that Elias and Co. established at the start of the offseason has been diminished. The Orioles should certainly be better than they were in 2025, but that may not equate to the team actually reaching the playoffs--which should have been the primary goal of the offseason.