As we flip the calendar to February, one of the more intriguing names on the free-agent market, Framber Valdez, is still without a team. That’s a bit surprising when you consider the left-hander just wrapped up a season with a 3.66 ERA and remains one of the top arms available. Yet here we are-just weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting-and Valdez is still waiting for the right deal.
Let’s be clear: Valdez isn’t unsigned because of a lack of interest. According to reports, there are at least seven teams still in the mix, all with varying levels of urgency and fit.
The list includes the Orioles, Mets, Tigers, Padres, Blue Jays, Giants, and Braves. That’s a wide net, but it speaks to the kind of value Valdez brings-a durable, playoff-tested lefty who can slot into the top half of a rotation.
Of those teams, the Mets and Orioles have been linked to Valdez most frequently this offseason. But recent developments may have shifted the landscape a bit.
The Mets just traded for Freddy Peralta, a move that could indicate they’ve filled their need for a frontline starter. Peralta brings swing-and-miss stuff and top-of-the-rotation potential, which may cool New York’s pursuit of Valdez.
That potentially opens the door for Baltimore to step in as a frontrunner. There’s a familiar connection here-Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias previously worked in the Astros organization, so he knows Valdez well. That kind of institutional knowledge can matter when you’re weighing a major investment in a pitcher.
Speaking of investment, Valdez’s contract demands may be what’s holding things up. He’s reportedly seeking a five-year deal, which is a significant commitment for a 32-year-old pitcher.
But in today’s market, we’ve seen players get creative. Some, like Michael King, Kyle Tucker, and Bo Bichette, have explored shorter-term deals with higher average annual values and opt-out clauses.
That could be a route Valdez ultimately takes if the long-term offers don’t materialize.
Regardless of how it plays out, one thing is certain: someone is going to land a quality starter. Valdez brings postseason experience, a heavy sinker that generates ground balls in bunches, and the kind of consistency teams crave over a 162-game season. He’s not just a rotation filler-he’s a difference-maker when he’s on.
With spring training around the corner, expect clarity soon. Teams are finalizing their rosters, and a pitcher of Valdez’s caliber won’t be on the market much longer. The only question left is: who’s ready to make the move?
