For the first time since 2016, the Houston Astros missed the playoffs in 2025. With two World Series titles, three appearances, and seven ALCS appearances, they had a dominant decade in the American League.
Late on Wednesday, the Detroit Tigers signed left-hander Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million contract that also includes an opt-out after 2026.
The Houston Astros have long been established as one of the leaders in MLB in developing young pitchers into high quality Major League contributors. Now, longtime ace Framber Valdez is gone to the Detroit Tigers, signing a historic contract even after general manager Dana Brown left the door cracked for his return to the club recently.
Framber Valdez is finally off the market. Valdez has agreed to a three-year, $115 million deal with the Detroit Tigers, according to multiple reports. The contract includes an opt-out after the second season, as well as deferrals, according to The Athletic.
The new MLB season brings opportunities as players head into their walk years and try to rebound from subpar performances. These 25 players stand out heading into 2026.
Framber Valdez is officially off the board. The veteran left-hander Valdez is signing with the Detroit Tigers in free agency, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported on Wednesday.
The Detroit Tigers are reportedly adding a massive arm to their starting rotation. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Tigers and Framber Valdez have reached an agreement on a three-year, $115 million contract.
America's favorite pastime has more memorable performances than any sport. As such, figuring out which pitchers had the best seasons ever is no easy task.
It has been an interesting offseason to say the least for the Houston Astros. It appears that general manager Dana Brown has moved on from left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez.
The Houston Astros went into the offseason ready to turn the page on the previous era after missing the playoffs for the first time in close to a decade.
With pitchers and catchers set to report to Spring Training in just a couple of weeks, the Astros’ farm system continues to take shape. While the system has undergone significant changes in recent years due to promotions and trades, there remains intriguing talent throughout the organization.
Spring training is an important time for every player on an MLB team, no matter where their career resides. Some pitchers who are a surefire rotation spot are tweaking a few things to get better, maybe add a pitch or use a pitch more than others.
Framber Valdez still remains unsigned in spite of entering the offseason as one of the top free agents overall this winter. The infamous incident involving his catcher last September with the Houston Astros could be a major factor for this.
Astros general manager Dana Brown met with reporters this afternoon at the team’s media luncheon. As he has throughout the offseason, the GM downplayed the possibility of trading from his infield while noting that they’re still looking for ways to add a left-handed bat.
Yainer Diaz won his arbitration hearing against the Astros, reports Francys Romero. The catcher, a PRIME client, will be paid a $4.5MM salary instead of the team’s $3MM filing figure.
The Houston Astros have had a relatively quiet offseason aside from signing Japanese right hander Tatsuya Imai to a three-year contract. However, expectations remain high in Houston after last year’s second-half collapse.
The 2025 Houston Astros missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Even bringing back Carlos Correa to play third base could not solve their problems last season, ending in an 87-75 season.
The Astros have avoided an arbitration hearing with infielder Isaac Paredes, reports Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The two parties settled on a one-year deal worth $9.35MM, landing right at the midpoint of the team’s $8.75MM submission and the $9.95MM sum submitted by Paredes’ camp at CAA.
The World Baseball Classic is supposed to be baseball’s grand international showcase — a chance for the game’s biggest stars to wear their country’s name across their chest and compete for global pride.
Houston Astros standouts Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa will not represent their countries in March's World Baseball Classic because they were not able to receive insurance on their major league contracts for the event, according to a report from The Athletic.