Framber Valdez, one of the most sought-after free agent starting pitchers, is drawing interest from several teams as he potentially considers a move to the American League East. Among the franchises looking to bring the left-hander on board are the Toronto Blue Jays, who recently missed out on adding Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette to their roster.
However, Sportsnet insider Ben Nicholson-Smith suggests that the Baltimore Orioles are frontrunners in the Valdez sweepstakes. He noted that while it’s uncertain how often the Orioles have engaged with Valdez recently, they reportedly met in person at the Las Vegas GM Meetings, which sparked some mutual interest prior to the recent trade involving pitcher Dylan Cease.
“The Blue Jays could reignite those talks if they prioritize run prevention,” Nicholson-Smith stated. Nevertheless, many in the industry view the New York Mets and the Orioles as more likely destinations for Valdez.
Should the Orioles successfully acquire Valdez, it would further enhance the competitiveness of the AL East, making it even tougher for the Boston Red Sox to contend for the division title. Last season, Valdez had an impressive performance with the Houston Astros, finishing with a record of 13-11 and a 3.66 ERA over 31 starts. His accolades include two All-Star selections and key contributions that helped the Astros secure the World Series title in 2022.
As Valdez navigates his free agency, teams across the league are keeping a keen eye on his potential impact, knowing that landing him could shift the balance of power in one of baseball’s most competitive divisions.