Orioles' offseason about to get wild if this free agency rumor is true

The Baltimore Orioles are giving off the impression that they are ready to spend like they are serious about contending. Speaking with reporters during the introductory press conference for Craig Albernaz last week, David Rubenstein wasn't shy about the idea that the Orioles have money to spend this offseason.

Perhaps it was the same money they didn't spend last offseason, but nonetheless, the Orioles are talking a big game for a team that was a massive disappointment.

The MLB experts for USA Today made their free agency predictions, and the impression is that the Orioles will finally put their money where their mouth is. There were three experts making the predictions, and the Orioles got a mention for Framber Valdez and Dylan Cease. The predictions seem to be aligned with Bob Nightengale's preview of the GM meetings, suggesting that the Orioles could be among the most active teams in free agency this offseason.

MLB free agency predictions are stating the obvious about what the Baltimore Orioles need to do this offseason

There shouldn't be a reason why the Orioles are picky in free agency. Point to one of the top starting pitchers on the market, and sign them to be at the top of the rotation. It sounds simple, but this was the same problem facing them last offseason, and they didn't do it. Whether it's Cease, Valdez, Ranger Suarez, or trading for a top-of-the-rotation arm, the Orioles can't leave this offseason empty-handed.

If there were to be a team to ignore the red signs that surrounded Valdez during his final season with the Astros, it would be the Orioles. That's not to say that Valdez wouldn't be an answer for the Orioles; he would be, but his second-half struggles, paired with an ugly cross-up incident, suggest that there could be some buyer's remorse.

As for Cease, the fear is tied to his 2025 season not quite being representative of an ace-caliber pitcher. Cease had over 200 strikeouts for the fifth consecutive year, but his ERA jumped to 4.55. The good news is that it may have been tied to the defense behind him, considering his xERA was at 3.46. Likely going to make less than Valdez in free agency, Cease may be the more intriguing option for the Orioles.