The Ultimate Free Agent Pitching Battle: Who Will Sign Framber Valdez?
Framber Valdez is the last free agent pitching star on the market, and his future is a hot topic among baseball fans. With a 3.66 ERA and an impressive 23.3% strikeout rate, Valdez is a force to be reckoned with. But which team will sign him?
Valdez's age (32) and middling second-half performance might make a six-year deal a stretch. A five-year contract seems more plausible, with a strong four-year pact appearing to be the floor. The question is, who will take a chance on him?
The Orioles are the most frequently linked team to Valdez. They entered the offseason needing a top-end starter, and president of baseball operations Mike Elias has ties to the southpaw from his days in the Houston front office. However, acquiring Valdez would cap a much bigger offseason than usual for the Orioles, who have already signed Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155MM free agent deal.
The Mets, Blue Jays, and Red Sox are also known to have met with Valdez around the Winter Meetings. They've each added a different marquee pitcher (Peralta, Cease, and Suárez, respectively). The Astros have never seemed inclined to bring Valdez back, and the Giants have consistently downplayed their desire to sign anyone long term.
So, where does that leave Valdez? Will Baltimore or San Francisco get aggressive, or does the long wait open up the opportunity for a mystery team? The answer remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Valdez is a valuable asset, and his future is a hot topic among baseball fans.
