Report: Orioles miss out on Framber Valdez, who has agreement with Tigers

The Orioles will have to look elsewhere for another starter. According to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Detroit Tigers are in agreement with left-hander Framber Valdez on a three-year, $115 million deal, which includes an opt-out after the second season.

For months, the Orioles were the presumed favorite to sign the 32-year-old Valdez, but were unable to bring him to Baltimore.

Though the Orioles have had a productive offseason with the acquisition of outfielder Tyler Ward and starter Shane Baz in trades, and signing slugger Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract and closer Ryan Helsley, they missed out on two top targets — Valdez and left-hander Ranger Suárez, who signed a five-year, $130 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.

A year ago, the Orioles reportedly offered their 2024 ace Corbin Burnes a four-year deal at $180 million, but he signed a six-year contract for $210 million with Arizona. Burnes had Tommy John surgery in June.

There are still some accomplished free-agent starters on the market, including Zac Gallen, Lucas Giolito, Chris Bassitt, Zack Littell, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, but with pitchers and catchers set to report to Sarasota on Tuesday, time is running short for the Orioles to add a starter before camp opens.

Valdez can team with the reigning two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal in Detroit to give the Tigers a formidable top of the rotation.

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