Framber Valdez to Orioles? Latest MLB Rumors After Pete Alonso's Rumored Contract

The Baltimore Orioles might not be done making a splash in 2025 free agency even after reportedly signing Pete Alonso away from the New York Mets.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Wednesday that the Orioles "remain engaged with the top end of the starting pitching market" following Alonso's signing.

That has included talks with left-hander Framber Valdez, Morosi noted.

Morosi reported last weekend that Valdez had met with the Orioles and Mets, along with the San Francisco Giants, during GM meetings in November.

After qualifying for back-to-back playoffs but getting swept from both in 2023 and 2024, the Orioles are hoping to get back to the postseason next fall.

That started with adding Alonso on a five-year, $155 million deal after four straight All-Star campaigns with the Mets.

Only Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber have recorded more home runs than Alonso's 264 since he joined the Mets in 2019.

The 31-year-old slashed .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs and 41 doubles in 2025, both more than any Orioles player reached in the category last season.

After bolstering their batting lineup with the addition of a big hitter, the Red Sox could now hope to bolster their starting rotation after trading right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels.

Red Sox starters combined for a 4.65 ERA last season, good for 24th in MLB. The club could hope to change that trajectory by bringing in a veteran starter in Valdez.

Valdez posted a 2.62 ERA as the Astros went 15-6 in his first 21 starts last season.

His performance dipped at the start of August, which marked the beginning of a ten-start stretch during which Valdez recorded a 6.05 ERA and the Astros went 2-8.

That stretch also featured a controversial moment during which Valdez hit his catcher in the chest plate with a non-called pitch he later said was unintentional.

That two-month dip could be overridden by what has overall been a consistent career for Valdez, who has averaged a 3.20 over his last five seasons in Houston while making at least 20 starts each year.

The Orioles' pitching struggles after losing Corbin Burnes ahead of the 2025 season showed the club's need for a top-line starter. Bringing in Valdez could potentially help Baltimore take another step forward with its young core in 2026.