Astros $18 million two-time All-Star named 'top trade candidate' by MLB exec

It's safe to say the Houston Astros are in unfamiliar territory.

Last October, the Astros failed to make it to at least the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2016. Since then, their championship-winning core has eroded a bit, with Kyle Tucker getting traded and Alex Bregman leaving in free agency.

While Bregman and Tucker are thriving in their new homes, the Astros are trying to stay afloat. They're 18-18, but in a mediocre AL playoff picture, they're far from out of the hunt at this point. 

Still, there seems to be a general sentiment that this might not be the Astros' year. And while it's unwise to count them out, they do have one great trade chip to cash in if they choose to go in that direction.

On Thursday, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand polled front office executives around the league about the "top trade candidate" at the deadline, and Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez got one of the 19 votes.

"Starting pitching will always be in demand around the league, as teams are in constant search for healthy, effective arms to take the ball every five days," Feinsand wrote. "Given the scarcity of such arms, the annual Trade Deadline chatter often revolves around the few starters who become available.

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"Even some of the best teams in baseball would benefit from the addition of another starter, so when we asked a number of executives who would be the biggest name moved prior to July 31, it was hardly surprising that a starting pitcher received more votes than anybody else."

Valdez, 31, is the definition of a seasoned professional. He's a two-time All-Star, he was a hero during the Astros' 2022 World Series run, and he has a 3.17 ERA in 131 outings since the start of 2020.

Valdez is making $18 million this season and could easily top $100 million on his next contract, which may be tough for the Astros, whose payroll has ballooned every year since the start of this decade, to afford.

Is there a scenario in which the Astros would consider trading Valdez even if they were still in a decent spot to make the playoffs? Rather than losing him for nothing, like they did with Bregman, they could make a killing on prospects in a seller's market.

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