Baltimore connected with top pitchers after landing Pete Alonso

The The Baltimore Orioles set the tone for the offseason by signing Pete Alonso from the New York Mets to a five-year, $150 million contract.

Despite shelling out $31 million a year for AlonsoMLB Network insider John Morosi reports that Baltimore “remains engaged at the top of the starting pitching market” and that discussions already held with left-handed reliever Framber Valdez.

Valdez is among the best starters available this winter. There’s no question that a ten-start slump in 2025 with a 6.05 ERA wasn’t ideal, but that doesn’t take away from how reliably good he’s been over the years. Through the first 21 starts of the season, he had a 2.62 ERA and the Houston Astros posted a 15–6 record. He finished the campaign with a 3.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 187 strikeouts in 192 innings.

Valdez has averaged a 3.20 ERA over the past five years, making at least 20 starts in each. He also brings postseason credentials, including a 1.44 ERA in four outings during the 2022 World Series in Houston.

The Orioles met with Valdez during the November GM meetings, along with the Mets and San Francisco Giants, and he is likely to seek a deal in the range of five years and approximately $150 million. Baltimore’s continued pursuit indicates they are not deterred by Alonso’s price tag and intend to add a No. 1 starter following the departures of Corbin Burns and Grayson Rodriguez.

The addition of Alonso bolstered the Orioles’ lineup. The 31-year-old is coming off a .272/.347/.524 season with 38 home runs and a NL-leading 41 doubles, outscoring every Baltimore hitter in both categories last season. As of 2019, only Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber have hit more home runs than Alonso’s 264. His contract has no opt-outs, no deferrals and includes a partial no-trade clause, locking him with the Orioles through 2030.

Baltimore’s offseason overhaul also includes the addition of Taylor Ward, who hit a career-high 36 home runs last season, and All-Star closer Ryan Helsley for a $28 million contract. The team has also reportedly engaged the Miami Marlins in trade discussions centered around starter Edward Cabrera, with prospect Coby Mayo considered a possible piece.

After a disappointing 75-87 in 2025 and back-to-back playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024, the Orioles are clearly looking to overhaul both their staff and rotation. If the club can pair Alonso’s elite power with a veteran like Valdez, they could enter 2026 with one of the strongest cores in baseball.