💥 BREAKING NEWS: “I would be shocked if this didn’t happen” — Framber Valdez and Orioles are getting very close ⚡ .MH

With Spring Training fast approaching, the Baltimore Orioles are still missing one crucial element to make their 2026 season a real leap forward: a true ace for rotation.

The offense is already “stamped ready.” Taylor Ward brings stability and depth. Pete Alonso is a statement that Baltimore is no longer shying away from big trades. But pitching—especially starting pitching—remains an unresolved gray area.

And so, Framber Valdez’s name has never left the radar.

On MLB Network’s Hot Stove, former GM and current insider Steve Phillips bluntly stated what many in the industry are thinking but haven’t said aloud:

“I would be shocked if Framber Valdez didn’t become an Oriole.”

That wasn’t a polite remark. It was an assessment from someone who understands how the market works.

Phillips points to the key link: Mike Elias. Before leading the Orioles, Elias was the scouting director for the Houston Astros—the same person who was present when Valdez signed in 2015 and followed his journey to the MLB in 2018. This wasn’t just a casual acquaintance. This was a relationship built on solid foundations.

Valdez, at 32, wasn’t a gamble. He was a proven workhorse. Eight MLB seasons, over 1,080 innings, a career ERA of 3.36, a WHIP of 1.20, and over 1,000 strikeouts. More importantly: his durability. Five consecutive seasons with 20+ starts. Three seasons with 30+ starts. In an era of injury-prone pitching, that’s a rare asset.

The 2025 season only further solidified that record. 31 starts, 192 innings, ERA of 3.66—not flashy numbers, but a solid foundation that the Orioles are lacking.

Looking at Baltimore’s current rotation, the picture is crowded but fragile. Trevor Rogers, Zach Eflin, Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, Brandon Young, Shane Baz—all have potential, but all raise questions about their health or consistency. Dean Kremer carried the innings last year, but he wasn’t an ace. Baz has upside, but it’s not an immediate answer.

The Orioles don’t need another “hope.” They need a foothold.

And this is why time is on Baltimore’s side. The starter market is almost exhausted. Teams that could break in—there always are—but with each passing day, the logic of the Valdez–Orioles deal becomes clearer. About the need. About the people. About the timing.

The remaining hesitation likely revolves around the contract structure. But when you’ve already invested heavily in Alonso, patched the bullpen, and set a realistic goal of competing in the AL East, stopping right at the threshold due to hesitation would be an inexplicable setback.

Steve Phillips was right about one crucial thing: “It’s unthinkable this could go on much longer.”

For the Orioles, this isn’t just about signing a pitcher. This is the final affirmation that they’re ready to enter the 2026 season with big ambitions—not just playoffs, but deep runs.

And when it all closes, don’t be surprised if Framber Valdez dons the orange and black jersey. For many in the industry, this ending is practically already written.