Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) looks on after he allows a home run against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Globe Life Field. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Framber Valdez's tantrum could cost him in free agency

By David Hill | Last updated Sep 7, 2025 7:02 PM ET

Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez may have tanked his free-agent stock with one pitch.

Valdez allowed six runs on eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts over five innings in the Astros' 7-1 loss on Tuesday. However, it was one pitch that drew everyone's attention as Valdez appeared to intentionally hit catcher Cesar Salazar in the chest immediately following a grand slam. Salazar had tried to get Valdez to step off the rubber before the pitch to Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham that resulted in the slam, but Valdez ignored him and threw the pitch.

While Valdez and his agent denied that hitting Salazar was intentional, not everyone around the game believes that statement.

There’s speculation that Astros pitcher Framber Valdez purposely crossed up his catcher Cesar Salazar and hit him with this pitch after Salazar told him to step off before allowing a grand slam pic.twitter.com/ds3c9MzQV6
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 3, 2025

Astros' Valdez could have smaller free-agent market than expected

That pitch did not escape notice around the league. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that Valdez may have cost himself a significant amount of money in free agency. He further reported that one unnamed organization had removed Valdez entirely from their offseason wish list.

In theory, Valdez should be one of the more sought after pitchers in free agency. A two-time All-Star and a key part of the Astros' 2022 World Series winning squad, Valdez has posted a 3.42 ERA and a 1.190 WHiP over his 176.1 innings, striking out 171 batters with 58 walks. As Valdez will turn 32 during the offseason, he should still have several solid seasons ahead of him.

If Valdez's market was based on his performance alone, he would be one of the top free agent pitchers during the 2025-26 offseason. However, by appearing to intentionally cross up his catcher and hitting him with a pitch, Valdez may have damaged his impending free agency.

David Hill

Based in the mountains of Vermont, Dave has over a decade of experience writing about all things baseball. Just don't ask his thoughts on the universal DH.

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