Framber Valdez is the pitcher to target for teams with eyes on the postseason in need of a serious rotation upgrade.
Valdez signed a one-year, $18 million contract to stay in Houston for 2025, so that’s probably in the range of the deal he’ll receive in free agency.
The left-hander could stay in Houston and continue to be the rock of that rotation.
He’s recorded double-digit win totals in each of the last five seasons and struck out over 175 batters in three of the last four years.
Additionally, he’s been solid in the postseason, including a 1.44 ERA in 2022 when the Astros won the World Series.
Houston can afford to lose the two-time All-Star because it has an abundance of young arms ready to take over.
However, a handful of those young pitchers dealt with injuries in 2025 and the last thing Houston wants to do is deal with injury issues again in 2026 while Valdez is pitching elsewhere.
Houston should try to make a deal happen, but if not, the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres and others could chase his signature to bolster their rotations.
Prediction: Valdez stays in Houston
