One Team Labeled Frontrunner for Top Remaining Free Agent Framber Valdez

It's been a tough slog on the open market for free agent starter Framber Valdez. Contrary to his beliefs at the beginning of the offseason, he won't be landing the biggest pitching deal in free agency (Dylan Cease's 7-year, $210M contract with the Blue Jays will hold that title), and in fact, he might have to settle for a short term (two or three year) deal with a higher AAV and opt-outs.

Is it possible he shot himself in the foot with his bizarre action of intentionally crossing up his catcher and drilling him in the chest on this strange play?

It’s funny looking back at this realizing Framber Valdez probably cost himself millions of dollars with one pitch https://t.co/q710S8JqSW
— SleeperAstros (@SleeperAstros) January 20, 2026

But one team is still desperate to add a front-line starter, and insider Bob Nightengale dropped this innuendo on Thursday:

Rival executives expect the Baltimore Orioles to be the next team to pluck a front-line starter from the free-agent market now that the New York Mets are out of the mix after acquiring Freddy Peralta.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 22, 2026

"Rival executives expect the Baltimore Orioles to be the next team to pluck a front-line starter from the free-agent market." Hmm. There is only one "front-line starter" left in free agency. That would be Valdez.

According to the latest intel from insider Jon Morosi, he also sees the Orioles as a potential landing spot for Valdez, while also suggesting the Philadelphia Phillies should be considered a possibility as well. The San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs have been mentioned as well, even though the latter recently traded for Edward Cabrera to bolster their rotation.