Baseball fans, brace yourselves—Opening Day is just eight weeks away, and the excitement is palpable! But here’s where it gets controversial: after last season’s letdown, can the Orioles truly deliver the fun we’re all craving? With only 56 days left until the big day, and just 11 days until WBC pitchers and catchers report, the clock is ticking. And this is the part most people miss: the top remaining free agent starter, Framber Valdez, remains unsigned, leaving us all scratching our heads. What’s the holdup? Is it teams sticking to three- or four-year offers, or Valdez holding out for a better deal? Or could it be the emerging trend of players opting for shorter, high-AAV contracts with early opt-outs? It’s a game of chicken, and someone’s got to blink first. But here’s the real question: Is Valdez worth the wait, or should teams move on? And what does this mean for other free agents like Zac Gallen, Chris Bassitt, and Lucas Giolito, who are still without homes? Controversial take alert: Maybe the Orioles should focus on Valdez as their ace or stick with their current rotation. After all, we’ve seen enough mid-tier signings go wrong in the past. Speaking of the Orioles, Gunnar Henderson is gearing up for a bounce-back season, and top prospect Samuel Basallo is poised to make waves in the majors—so much so that he’s already inked an eight-year extension. Meanwhile, Dylan Beavers just missed Keith Law’s top 100 prospects list, but Law remains optimistic about his future. Shifting gears, today’s birthdays include former Orioles Jair Jurrjens and John Habyan, who turns 62. And in case you missed it, on this day in history, Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven was first published, and the first Baseball Hall of Fame class was announced in 1936. Thought-provoking question for you: Who was the Orioles’ first opponent at Memorial Stadium in 1954? Let us know your guess in the comments! As we count down to Opening Day, one thing’s for sure—Birdland is buzzing with anticipation. Stay tuned, and have a fantastic Thursday!
