Orioles just got big Framber Valdez wake-up call from an AL contender

The Baltimore Orioles appeared to be at a standstill with free-agent starting pitcher Framber Valdez. Valdez was easily the best starting pitcher remaining in free agency. The Orioles need a frontline starter, but the lack of suitors for the former Houston Astros ace had placed Baltimore in a position where they felt they didn't need to bid against themselves

That sentiment appeared to be changing over the last 24 hours, with reports that the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates were among the teams interested in Valdez. It seemed that Valdez was finally marching toward a deal, and he found one.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Valdez has inked a three-year deal with the Detroit Tigers worth $115 million.

The Orioles waited too long for Framber Valdez, and now he is with the Detroit Tigers.

It's revealing that the Orioles didn't match the Tigers' offers. Perhaps Valdez wanted to be in Detroit and felt like the Tigers were better suited to contend than the Orioles. Considering how both teams finished the 2025 season, it's not out of the question.

Valdez's contract with the Tigers contains an opt-out after the second year of the deal. It's possible that was one of the sticking points for the Orioles. Signing Valdez would have required the Orioles to part with their third-highest draft pick in addition to international bonus pool money.

The Orioles previously parted with a compensation pick as part of the trade for Shane Baz, and they may not have wanted to do so with the risk that Valdez would leave in a year or two.

Nonetheless, with spring training less than two weeks away, the Orioles still have a need for a frontline starting pitcher.

At this point in the offseason, the only remaining free-agent starting pitcher who would come close to checking that box is Zac Gallen. Though like Valdez, Gallen rejected a qualifying offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks and would come with the same penalties. The former National League Cy Young finalist also seems to be in the mix for a short-term deal with opt-outs.

Beyond Gallen, the Orioles have been linked to Lucas Giolito and Justin Verlander in recent weeks. Neither would come at the risk of losing draft-pick compensation, and both are among the more affordable options remaining on the free-agent market.