The New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles are actively pursuing free agent pitcher Framber Valdez, who declined a qualifying offer from the Houston Astros and positioned himself as one of the top starting pitchers available in the free-agent market. Both teams aim to reinforce their starting rotations with Valdez’s addition ahead of the next MLB season.
Following Ranger Suarez’s lucrative five-year, $130 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, industry insiders expect Valdez to command a comparable deal. Steve Phillips, an MLB expert, indicated that the Mets and Orioles are the primary contenders for Valdez’s signature, noting that his free agency decision is likely to come down to one of these two teams.
For Framber Valdez, now also represented by Scott Boras, I think getting the five years for Suárez, even though he’s a couple of years older, means you’re going to get five years for Framber Valdez,
Phillips said. “He was an outfielder coming up in the organization and transitioned to pitching. He wasn’t a young pitcher who logged all kinds of youthful innings.
So yeah, he’s a little bit older, but he’s a workhorse on the mound. I think it’s down between the Orioles and the Mets. And I think the fall-off after Framber Valdez to Zac Gallen is significant. I think there’s some unpredictability with Gallen. Framber is one of the most predictable pitchers.
Both the Mets and Orioles struggled with starting pitching in previous seasons. The Mets, in particular, aim to enhance their rotation after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Meanwhile, the Orioles view Valdez’s acquisition as a major step in strengthening their pitching staff.
Yankees Persist in Pursuit of Freddy Peralta Despite Recent Trade
The New York Yankees have maintained their interest in acquiring Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers, even after recently reinforcing their pitching roster by trading for Ryan Weathers. The Yankees obtained Weathers from the Miami Marlins, sending four prospects—Dillon Lewis, Brendan Jones, Dylan Jasso, and Juan Matheus—in exchange.
Although the trade for Weathers bolstered the Yankees’ rotation, the team continues to explore opportunities to add Peralta. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, discussions between the Yankees and Brewers regarding Peralta are ongoing, but a deal has not been finalized yet.
Sources close to the situation suggest that Milwaukee is open to moving Peralta, and the Yankees are considered frontrunners in these trade conversations amid interest from other teams as well.
What These Moves Mean for the MLB Landscape
The negotiations involving Freddy Peralta and Framber Valdez highlight the current urgency among MLB teams to enhance their pitching assets. The Mets and Orioles chase Valdez to address starting rotation weaknesses, with both teams eager to distance themselves from past performance shortcomings. Meanwhile, the Yankees’ persistence in securing Peralta reflects their intent to build a deep and competitive pitching staff for upcoming seasons.
The outcomes of these trade talks and free-agent signings could have significant implications on the balance of power within the league. Valdez’s eventual destination will likely define starting pitching strength for the Orioles or Mets, while Peralta’s trade, if completed, would further impact the Yankees’ pitching depth and their playoff prospects.
“I think it's down between the Orioles and the Mets.”
– @StevePhillipsGM evaluates the market for free agent Framber Valdez pic.twitter.com/XqZLE8zWL3
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 15, 2026
“According to sources, the Yankees have been talking with the Brewers about a trade for Freddy Peralta, though no deal was imminent as of Wednesday afternoon.”
(@Feinsand) pic.twitter.com/UriiU9BnN0
— Everything Yankees (@eyyankees) January 15, 2026
