Framber Valdez linked to one new contender in free-agent rumors

Framber Valdez may be going from a multi-time AL pennant winner to the reigning AL pennant winner.

The Toronto Blue Jays are now among the teams interested in signing the two-time All-Star pitcher Valdez, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Tuesday. Valdez is regarded as the best available free-agent pitcher with less than three weeks to go now before spring training starts.

A 32-year-old lefty, Valdez has spent all eight of his career seasons up to this point with the Houston Astros. He earned All-Star nods in 2022 and 2023 and also won a World Series in Houston during the former year.

Last season for the Astros, Valdez was still pretty sharp. He went 13-11 with a 3.66 ERA, 187 strikeouts, and an MLB-leading two complete games through 31 total starts.

As for the Blue Jays, they have had a very productive offseason after falling in the 2025 World Series to the Los Angeles. In particular, Toronto has been diligent on the pitching market, signing Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce in free agency. The Blue Jays also notably signed Tyler Rogers and traded for Chase Lee to help bolster their bullpen.

That said, Toronto’s pitching rotation is extremely righty-heavy. While the lefty Valdez was just recently said to have a very flat market, it only takes one team to give him a shot, and the Blue Jays might be just that team.