Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Pirates taking another swing in free agency, eyeing All-Star pitcher

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Feb 4, 2026 1:27 PM ET

After not having a winning season since 2018 (82-79), the Pittsburgh Pirates have done well to build around Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes this offseason.

The Pirates showed a willingness to compete when they signed free agent first baseman Ryan O’Hearn to their first multi-year free agent contract since 2016 and traded for All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Despite an uphill battle in a division that contains the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds, the Pirates are showing interest in All-Star starter Framber Valdez, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Valdez would push the Pirates into closer contention with the three teams ahead of them in the National League Central.

Valdez could show a willingness to sign with Pittsburgh, given that the Pirates hired his former pitching coach, Bill Murphy, over the winter, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Even though Valdez is a two-time All-Star and a multiple top-10 finisher for the Cy Young Award, his image has taken a hit after hitting his own catcher, Cesar Salazar, with a pitch last season and then turning his back on him.

The Pirates, who hired pitching coach Bill Murphy from the Astros this winter, have emerged as suitors for Framber Valdez. https://t.co/HCLZ5QvnrN
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 4, 2026

Despite the hit to his character, the Pirates’ signing Framber Valdez would put them over the top

Outside of his incident, Valdez had another solid season, posting a 13-11 record with a 3.66 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 192.0 innings. Valdez would be joining the sixth-best starting staff in baseball (3.71 ERA), and pitching behind the Pirates ace, Skenes (1.97).

Other than Skenes, the Pirates need starting pitching, with right-hander Brad Keller offering the only other option. Right-handers Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler offer other potential options to fill the fourth and fifth spots of the rotation, but adding another veteran starter would put the Pirates over the top.

With a 1-3 of Skenes, Valdez and Keller, the Pirates would have one of the better starting staffs in baseball. They still need to add a third baseman to level out their offense, but if they can’t find the right player, going all-in on their starting staff is the next best option.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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