Framber Valdez remains a free agent while Orioles get closer to spring training

Two weeks from today, pitchers and catchers have their first workout at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, and time is growing short for the Orioles to add another starter before camp opens.

The Orioles could always sign or trade for a starter once spring training has begun, but that can be risky.

In recent years, the Orioles signed free-agent starters Alex Cobb, Yovani Gallardo and Kyle Gibson after spring training had begun. Cobb and Gibson weren’t signed until far into camp, weren’t ready to start the season and were ineffective when they pitched.

Several big-name starters are still without a team, including Framber Valdez, Zac Gallen, Chris Bassitt, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Lucas Giolito.

Few top-tier position players are unsigned, but there are still starters.

If the Orioles are going to sign the top free-agent pitcher, Valdez, it would be helpful to do it before camp so that he’s not under pressure to get acclimated.

Fans who’ve rejoiced in the active Orioles offseason are still waiting for them to sign a top-tier starter. The Red Sox signed another left-hander they were linked to, Ranger Suárez, for five years, $130 million.

They didn’t acquire Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore, who went to Texas for five prospects. Nor did they nab Milwaukee right-hander Freddy Peralta, who went to the Mets for two prospects.

Gore has two seasons of club control remaining. Peralta will be a free agent after the 2026 season.

Early in the offseason, Toronto signed Dylan Cease for seven years, $210 million. That contract seemed to stall the market for frontline free-agent pitchers.

The Orioles have added two starters, and subtracted one. After they traded Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward, they sent five prospects to Tampa Bay for right-hander Shane Baz, and re-signed Zach Eflin, who’s excited to return after having back surgery.

Valdez, however, is still out there.

At the beginning of free agency, MLBTradeRumors.com predicted that Valdez would command five years, $150 million. The 32-year-old Valdez would be 37 when a five-year contract ends, and the Orioles are cautious about giving a 32-year-old starter that many years.

They did sign slugging first baseman Pete Alonso for five years, $155 million. But he’s a year younger at 31, and they’re confident he’ll maintain his power throughout the length of the deal.

We don’t know Valdez’s asking price. The Orioles would feel better about a contract shorter than five years, and we don’t know who they’re bidding against.

One gambling site, Bookies.com, has the Orioles as the betting favorite to sign Valdez, assigning the team 28.6 percent odds. The San Francisco Giants are next with 22.2 percent followed by the New York Mets (18.6) and Chicago Cubs (14.3). Any of the other 26 teams has a 20 percent chance.

Valdez and Gallen would cost the Orioles a draft choice because they both declined to sign a qualifying offer from their 2025 team. Since they sent a Competitive Balance draft choice to the Rays along with those five prospects, the draft pick the Orioles would surrender would be their third-round selection, No. 82 overall.

Valdez would fit nicely into the Orioles’ rotation. He’s 81-52 with a 3.36 ERA in eight years with the Houston Astros and threw 193 innings last season.

Gallen is 66-52 with a 3.58 ERA, but had a rocky year for Arizona in 2025, going 13-15 with a 4.83 ERA, allowing a career-high 31 home runs.

The Orioles already have Baz, Eflin, Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells as prospective starters with Cade Povich and Brandon Young as depth possibilities. Another strong starter would make them a stronger contender in the talent-heavy American League East.

Position players can sign during spring training and get the necessary at-bats to be ready for the season. Starters need a full six weeks.

It’s been a surprise that Valdez has lasted this long on the market. Oriole fans are hoping the wait will end with a new No. 1 starter.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.