Orioles reeling from Ranger Suarez fallout now face soaring Framber Valdez price

The Baltimore Orioles have had the most obvious need for a frontline starter since the start of the offseason. However, the Orioles have primarily addressed other areas of the roster this offseason with the notable exception of the Shane Baz trade. Up until recently, it felt like the Orioles still had plenty of time and options available to them to eventually accomplish that goal this offseason. However, the Red Sox's surprise signing of Ranger Suarez has since changed everything.

It is bad enough that Suarez was a top potential rotation target for the Orioles, and he ended up landing with a division rival in Boston. Now, Baltimore has to reset with the knowledge that they will have to deal with Suarez directly if they want to make a run at the AL East title.

Making matters worse, the Orioles now have to face the reality that another top free agent target in Framber Valdez probably just upped his asking price.

If Ranger Suarez just got paid $130 million by the Red Sox, the Orioles are going to have to really pay up for Framber Valdez if they really want him

It is important to take contract predictions from experts with a grain of salt. Agents and teams are privy to a lot more information and are more closely tuned into the actual market instead of the one that fans and writers everywhere invent in their own minds.

However, MLB Trade Rumors' contract predictions are usually pretty good and well-thought-out, and Suarez just blew their prediction for him away. While they nailed the length of the deal at five years, MLBTR only had Suarez getting $23 million a year, whereas the Red Sox are giving him $26 million a year, which is...not a small difference.

Assuming that bump in salary is a continuation of the trend this offseason of starting pitchers (in free agency or in trades) commanding a true premium, Baltimore may have a tough decision to make. Valdez is a phenomenal lefty talent with the track record to command the five-year, $150 million deal that was predicted for him. However, if Valdez is going to beat that like Suarez just beat his projected deal, the Orioles may be priced out already.