The Baltimore Orioles have had an impressive MLB offseason. Acquiring Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels and signing Pete Alonso in free agency, Baltimore has bolstered its lineup to compete in a treacherous AL East division. While their lineup stacks up with some of the best in baseball, the Orioles do still lack pitching.

Finishing 25th in team ERA (4.60) last season, Baltimore has done little to reinforce its pitching staff. The Orioles were linked to Ranger Suarez before he signed with their division rival Boston Red Sox. While Framber Valdez remains a possibility for Baltimore, he has several suitors which makes the market competitive.

One of the top available arms via trade this offseason has been longtime Milwaukee Brewers star Freddy Peralta. The 29-year-old right-hander is coming off a career-year in which he posted a 2.70 ERA in 176.2 innings pitched.

Baltimore has been among the teams floated as a potential Peralta suitor, but the team was dealt bad news on Wednesday when it was reported he had been dealt to the New York Mets.

"BREAKING: The New York Mets have acquired All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, sources tell ESPN," wrote Jeff Pessan of ESPN. "Deal is done. Top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat are headed to Milwaukee. One more big league pitcher will head to the Mets."

BREAKING: The New York Mets have acquired All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, sources tell ESPN. Deal is done. Top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat are headed to Milwaukee. One more big league pitcher will head to the Mets.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 22, 2026

While Baltimore may not have been comfortable parting with that kind of package for a player in a contract season, Peralta landing in New York is one less top-tier pitching option for the Orioles to pursue. Surrendering the fourth-most home runs in baseball last season, Baltimore pitching struggled to keep the ball in the yard. They were also in the bottom-half of the league in strikeouts, which is an area Peralta excels in.

Orioles' Roster is Strong, Framber Valdez Remains Available

There is still a lot of reason for optimism when looking at the Orioles' 2026 roster, but when playing in a division that boasts offenses like the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees, being able to combat that with elite pitching is essential. Baltimore does not have that right now, and while there is still time to address it, options are coming off the board. Peralta is the latest, as he lands in New York to bolster a Mets team that has gotten a lot better in recent days.

What an incredible week. Let’s go Mets !

— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) January 22, 2026

Is it now Framber Valdez or bust for the Orioles? One potential silver lining with missing out on Peralta, is the Mets may no longer be pursuing Valdez. This could especially be the case if New York plans on extending Peralta, as that would tie up longterm money and potentially make the Mets less willing to spend big on another start. But as things stand currently, that much is speculative. Under owner Steve Cohen, New York still has the resources to be players in the Valdez market.

For now, the Orioles remain without the frontline starter they are known to be after.