Orioles' Potential Free-Agent Pitching Acquisition: A Tale of Two Trades
The Baltimore Orioles are on the cusp of a significant addition to their pitching rotation, with the potential to sign one of the top free-agent starting pitchers. The fanbase eagerly anticipates this move, and the most likely candidates are Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez. However, an intriguing twist in this story involves a past trade attempt that could have brought Valdez to Baltimore.
In 2017, the Orioles were close to acquiring Valdez from the Houston Astros in a trade deadline deal. The proposed trade would have seen the Orioles trade All-Star closer Zach Britton to the Astros for a package of prospects, including Valdez. However, a red flag emerged as the Orioles cited injury concerns with one of the prospects, which ultimately led to the deal falling through.
Fast forward to the present, and the Orioles are now in a position to potentially sign Valdez, who has become a cornerstone of the Houston Astros' rotation. The question arises: what if the Orioles had made that trade in 2017? Would the team's fortunes have taken a different turn?
Valdez, a 32-year-old pitcher, carries a certain risk due to his controversial final season in Houston. He openly clashed with his coaching staff and even intentionally crossed up his catcher to express his frustration. Despite this, the Orioles are considered the most logical suitors for Valdez, with the New York Mets also showing interest.
The Orioles' extensive research on Valdez before the 2017 trade and the connection between Mike Elias and the Astros organization further strengthens the case for a potential agreement. As the offseason nears its end, the signing of Valdez could be the ideal move for the Orioles, providing a much-needed boost to their pitching staff.
