After missing the MLB playoffs in 2025 for the first time in nearly a decade, the Houston Astros are now also on the verge of losing ace starter Framber Valdez to free agency.
At this point, it’s not expected that the Astros will re-sign Valdez, as his asking price might be too high, and there have been some rumors that even Valdez himself wants a breath of fresh air with a different organization.
Framber Valdez’s contract prediction is massive
In a recent predictions piece by Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter, Framber Valdez is predicted to sign the eighth-largest contract in the free agent class:
“Predicted Contract: 5 years, $135 million”
“This is not the largest contract we’re predicting for a starting pitcher in this class, but it is the highest AAV, with his $27 million figure putting him in the same ballpark as fellow lefties Garrett Crochet ($28.3 million) Max Fried ($27.25 million) and Carlos Rodón ($27 million).”
It was the year of the southpaw starting pitcher, as it felt like every star left-handed starter in MLB had a great season.
Valdez is 31, but he has a strong track record of consistently taking the ball each fifth day and has been a strong postseason performer.
As far as teams that may be in the Valdez sweepstakes, expect there to be a lot of suitors, but some clubs may also see him as a locker room problem after a cross-up incident between backup César Salazar earlier this year.
