The Baltimore Orioles hired Craig Albernaz as their new manager after a disappointing 2025 season, and now they’re looking to give him the tools he needs to compete.
Starting pitching sits at the top of their wishlist. They need a frontline starter who can anchor the rotation alongside Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers.
The good news? There’s plenty of talent available through free agency and trades. The not-so-good news? Other teams are circling the same targets, which means Baltimore can’t afford to wait around when the Winter Meetings kick off next week.
Most of the buzz centers around Framber Valdez, but he’s not the only quality arm looking for a new home. Ranger Suarez represents another intriguing option that could solve the Orioles’ rotation problems.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan thinks Suarez makes sense for Baltimore, and the lefthander’s time on the market might be running short.
“Teams in the mix for Suarez believe he’s the next big-time starter off the board. Though the 30-year-old won’t fetch a Dylan Cease-level deal, he long has been a target for Houston, which balks at deals beyond six years, and Baltimore, which is seeking a top-end rotation piece.”
What makes this interesting is the competition. Houston has been tracking Suarez for a while, but they’ve shown reluctance to go beyond six years on deals. That could create an opening for Baltimore if they’re willing to be more aggressive with term.
The way Passan frames it, teams around the league expect Suarez to be the next starter to come off the board. If that’s accurate, the Orioles need to move quickly.
Suarez brings exactly what Baltimore needs – a proven starter who can handle the pressure of being a rotation leader. At 30, he’s in his prime and could provide several years of stability.
The question becomes whether the Orioles are ready to make the kind of commitment it’ll take to land him before Houston or another contender swoops in.
