Startlingly, the Astros could lose their $190 million ace after missing the postseason. For several seasons, Houston stood among the league’s elite, yet last winter they watched key stars depart. Kyle Tucker moved to the Chicago Cubs, and Alex Bregman signed with the Boston Red Sox in free agency. Those departures helped trigger a late-season slide that knocked them out of playoff contention.
Now, another star may walk away this winter. Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicts Framber Valdez, the Astros’ top pitcher, will hit free agency in the coming offseason.
Over the past decade, Houston has let frontline arms like Charlie Morton, Gerrit Cole, and Justin Verlander depart in free agency rather than keeping them on market-value contracts. This pattern, and how owner Jim Crane has conducted business with top starters, is worth close scrutiny.
The late-season stretch of Valdez’s season added to the intrigue. Not only did he post a 5.20 ERA after the All-Star Break, but a September moment where a frustrated Valdez appeared to miscue a sign with catcher César Salazar raised eyebrows about the dynamic on the mound.
Valdez is expected to command a massive contract. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden foresees a deal around $190 million, a figure that may be out of the Astros’ price range.
Right now, Valdez stands as the market’s premier pitcher this offseason. Possible destinations that make sense include the San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Baltimore Orioles. The Mets, in particular, could be a compelling fit given how much talent they’ve lost this offseason.
Additional coverage: Kyle Tucker’s potential league-changing deal with an American League powerhouse continues to draw attention.
