Red Sox Linked To Projected $196 Million Astros Ace

"And he’s not exactly pitching to contact with 875 strikeouts in 902 1/3 innings during that time thanks mostly to a standout curveball. Strikeouts and grounders are the ideal combo, which is how Valdez has posted a sub-3.70 ERA in six straight seasons...Britton’s projection: 7 years, $196 million. Best fits: (Baltimore Orioles), (Boston Red Sox), (Toronto Blue Jays)."

The trio ranked Valdez as the fifth-best overall free agent this offseason. Britton's projected price of $196 million is fair. Spotrac also is projecting his market value in that range at $199 million across six years. Max Fried got an eight-year, $218 million deal last offseason, who is a comparable lefty. Boston was in the mix for him before he ended up signing with the New York Yankees.

Valdez is two months older than Fried and will get a massive deal a year later than the Yankees star, so a seven-year deal is at least in line with what Fried got. Fried's career numbers are a bit better than Valdez's, but they aren't far off and this is a fair idea from Gleeman, Britton, and Jennings. The Red Sox showed heavy interest in Fried last year. Valdez is this year's top starter on the open market. If they want to add a hurler to move the needle, he would do that.

There's an argument that adding a pitcher through a trade could be a better route because depending on the guy -- like Joe Ryan, let's say -- because Boston could get a high-end starter with a lower annual value right now and use that cash elsewhere for the roster. But, the Red Sox did at least try to sign a high-end starter last year in Fried, so there is merit to the idea that Boston could try again this offseason.