Red Sox’s AL East Rival Projected To Sign All-Star Pitcher

Who will win the American League East arms race? It could be the Boston Red Sox, who signed free-agent left-hander Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million contract after trading for right-handers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo.

It could be the Toronto Blue Jays, who gave right-hander Dylan Cease a seven-year, $210 million contract.

Or it could be the Baltimore Orioles, if they land lefty Framber Valdez, who is the best arm still available on the open market.

“There has been no indication that Valdez’s market has changed much, though the (Freddy) Peralta trade likely takes the Mets out of the mix,” MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports.

“That leaves the Orioles as the most logical landing spot for the left-hander, though it remains to be seen whether the 32-year-old can land the long-term deal he’s seeking.

“Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias was in Houston’s front office early in Valdez’s career, but is that history enough for Baltimore to hand him big money? Based on the calendar and the (seemingly) limited number of suitors, perhaps Valdez will have to settle for a shorter-term, higher-AAV deal the way others in the market have done this offseason.

“Whether a team — the Orioles or anyone else — will be willing to surrender Draft picks for a short-term deal might be the important question,” Feinsand concludes.

The 32-year-old Valdez is a two-time All-Star who helped the Houston Astros win the 2022 World Series. That year, Valdez led the American League in innings pitched (201.1) and complete games (3).

Valdez tied his career high in 2025 by making 31 starts for Houston and he’s thrown at least 190 innings in three of the last four years.

Oh, and Valdez has been a top-10 Cy Young Award candidate in three of the last four seasons as well.

The southpaw would be a fitting way for the Orioles to end their offseason splurge, which included signing former Mets first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract.

The Orioles needed an overhaul after finishing last season in last place in the AL East, 19 games behind the first-place Blue Jays.