With Framber Valdez signing last week, it's official: The Orioles came up empty-handed in the high end of the starting pitching free agent market. Mark wonders whether there will be regret about this in the years to come. Plus, thoughts on the out-of-nowhere trade of Kade Strowd plus prospects for utility infielder Blaze Alexander.

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It's cold in Maryland and the hot stove has gone cold too while seemingly everyone waits to see where Framber Valdez ends up. Since Mark is on Framber Valdez or bust for the Orioles rotation, he's getting impatient about it. Also, chatter on top 100 prospects and what the O's need to see from the farm this year.

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Everybody in Birdland, hope you're staying warm and safe! In this week's episode, Mark looks at a couple of the recent starting pitching trades and how they mostly just further confirm that the Orioles will either end up getting Framber Valdez or nobody else.

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With the way the free agent market has shaken out, the Orioles are down to Framber Valdez or bust when it comes to possible high-end additions. Mark is on team "sign someone who was good last year" and not on team "sign someone who is older than Mark" (Justin Verlander). Plus, a look at the rest of the AL East and what they've done this offseason.

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Mark is still wondering about the big question of the offseason: Will the Orioles make a big addition at the top of the rotation? For now, there's other business, like this week's start of the international amateur signing period. This episode goes over reports of a shift in strategy for the Orioles and looks at what has gone right with the O's overseas efforts so far.

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Between Christmas and New Years, the Orioles brought back one of their disappointing 2025 starting pitchers, Zach Eflin. Even so, a lot has turned over since last Opening Day and there's enough for someone to maybe feel optimistic about the group, even Mark, though he'll regret writing this later.

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Even if you were imagining the Orioles trading for a pitcher, it probably wasn't Shane Baz. Mike Elias surrendered four prospects, including two of his recent high draft picks, to bring in the one-time top pitching prospect who's never been both healthy and good in MLB. Mark tries to get his head around this surprise and what it means for the rotation.

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The Orioles signed a big-time free agent! Mark is still in disbelief about landing Pete Alonso, and still impressed about Alonso's introductory press conference. This episode is all Polar Bear, all the time, breaking down why he was an essential addition, what it probably means for the roster, and what it hopefully shows about Elias's commitment to adding to the rotation.

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The baseball world is gathered for the winter meetings over the next few days. Mark cautions everyone not to flip out over thin rumors before moving on into a preview of the state of affairs heading into the meetings. Plus, in the mailbag, some questions about the back of the starting rotation and whether the Orioles can address it with familiar faces.

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The Orioles capped a busy November with Mike Elias signing (pending a physical) Ryan Helsley to be the team's closer next year. The 2022-24 version of Helsley was exciting. Mark, being who he is, doesn't feel the unbridled optimism, but it could work out. He goes on to assess the rest of the bullpen.

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