Are Orioles waiting on Framber Valdez? | MAILBAG

Question: As the pitching dominos continue to fall, the Orioles seem to be treading water and holding their breath waiting for Framber Valdez to blink. I’m sure the issue is related more to the length of the deal than the average money. Since the Mets have traded for Freddy Peralta, do you think a deal will come together or will we enter 2026 without a true No. 1 starter? From: Bill Bonnington

Answer: Bill, Michael Chefalo also has the same question. I’m not sure that the Orioles are waiting for Valdez to blink. His agent is trying to get the best deal for him, and I think there’s a good chance the Orioles have the best deal. However, there can always be a surprise late bidder.

I don’t know at what point Mike Elias pivots from waiting on Valdez to Zac Gallen or another free-agent pitcher, or looks to see if a trade is logical.

I’m thinking that the Orioles will add another frontline starter soon.

Question: Is defensive prowess a major factor in considering a player for the Hall of Fame? I can think of Brooks Robinson as the only player who got in primarily for his defense.

I can think of others who ought to be considered — for instance, the Orioles’ Paul Blair, the Red Sox’s Dom DiMaggio and the Braves’ Andrew Jones. From: Timothy Fowler

Answer: Tim, as you know, Andruw Jones was elected to the Hall of Fame this week. His 10 Gold Gloves certainly helped propel him, but he also hit 434 home runs.

As for Brooks Robinson, not only was he a phenomenal fielder, he also hit well. Robinson had 2,868 hits, but, yes, defense also was a key reason.

Ozzie Smith is perhaps the best example of a Hall of Fame player whose defense was more important than his offense. Smith won 13 consecutive Gold Gloves at shortstop and was a 15-time All-Star.

Smith was also a good hitter but didn’t hit for power. He had 2,460 hits, and only 28 were home runs.

I wouldn’t think of Blair as a Hall of Famer. He won eight Gold Gloves, but hit only .250 and had only 134 home runs and 620 RBIs.

Mark Belanger would be a better example. He won eight Gold Gloves, and his WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 40.9, which is higher than Blair’s 37.7, came primarily because of his excellence on defense. That still doesn’t come close to making him a Hall of Famer.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.