Question: Sorry to be a doom-and-gloom guy here, but once again the O’s have blown their chances of getting a top-of-the-line starter with Framber Valdez moving to Detroit. When are the owners going to wake up and make some bold moves so they can remain competitive? I envision another year of middle-of-the-pack performance by them, maybe just maybe might make it to wild-card playoffs but no further. Do you have any good news for us longtime fans? From: Robert Harris
Answer: Robert is one of many fans who wondered about Valdez’s signing with the Tigers. Michael Janofsky, Greg K and Jeff Bieber are curious if the Orioles made a real offer to Valdez.
The bidding for free agents isn’t a transparent process. There were lots of reports after the signing about other teams reportedly showing interest. It’s not like buying a house where you submit a bid and the owner accepts it or doesn’t.
I don’t know what the Orioles offered Valdez and whether it was competitive with what Detroit offered him or if he wanted to pitch in Baltimore.
There are still moves to be made. I think they’ll sign a free-agent starter or perhaps trade for one.
As for good news for longtime fans, spring training is starting this week, and Opening Day is a little over six weeks away.
Question: Are you implying the O’s are more likely to go with the current projected rotation rather than adding one of the available free agents? From: Robert Hunt
Answer: Bob, others, including Clark Saunders, are wondering what you are. I would be surprised if the Orioles don’t add another starter by free agency or trade.
I don’t think they would be or should be satisfied with the rotation they have now.
Three starters — Kyle Bradish, Zach Eflin and Tyler Wells — are coming off incomplete seasons. Bradish, Eflin and Wells combined for 24 starts, which is three-quarters of a starter’s full-season load.
We don’t know whether Eflin will be ready to start the season after August back surgery, or if the Orioles want Wells in the rotation or the bullpen.
If Bradish is healthy and can come close to a full season’s worth of innings, and Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz and Dean Kremer can shoulder 30-plus starts, that would be great, but the Orioles need more heft in the rotation.
Valdez and Ranger Suárez could have provided that, and if they’re able to sign Zac Gallen, Lucas Giolito, Chris Bassitt or Justin Verlander, that would be a good and necessary addition.
The Orioles also have Cade Povich and Brandon Young as depth options, and perhaps later in the season, Trey Gibson could be one, too.
Last year, not including openers, they used 12 starting pitchers — Bradish, Eflin, Kremer, Povich, Rogers, Wells, Young, Kyle Gibson, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, Chayce McDermott and Albert Suárez.
Hopefully, they won’t need that many, but they need to have that many options.
Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: [email protected]. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.