Astros cutting ties with Framber Valdez? Houston 'not likley' to re-sign, insider says

The Houston Astros are leading the American League West and are shaping up to be contenders in the American League once again. However, this could be their last run with Framber Valdez.

The Athletic's Chandler Rome revealed in the offseason that the Astros did not approach Valdez with extension talks and that he expects to be a free agent after this season. Rome recently revealed that the Astros are 'not likely' to re-sign Valdez in free agency.

"It is not likely, John," Rome replied to a question on the Astros re-signing Valdez. "Valdez’s price tag has climbed considerably during his past six starts, a stretch in which he’s posted a 1.84 ERA and struck out 47 hitters across 44 innings. Valdez and his representatives at Octagon will likely use Max Fried’s eight-year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees as a framework for free-agent discussions. Fried is two months younger than Valdez, but the two southpaws have strikingly similar numbers in their careers."

Valdez has a 3.07 ERA on the year and has thrown two complete games. He has been a key player in the rotation since 2021, when he made 22 starts. Valdez has spent his entire big-league career with the Astros and has a 3.28 ERA. He signed a one-year, $18 million deal to avoid arbitration, but he will have a strong market next offseason.

He is a two-time All-Star and has a 3.08 ERA since 2021. He has received Cy Young Award votes in each of the last three seasons and has been a key player for the Astros in his career.

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During the Astros' 2022 World Series run, he made four postseason starts. He had a 1.44 ERA and struck out 33 batters to help secure a championship. However, the Astros' tendencies do not point to him being with the team past this season.

"During spring training, Valdez said the Astros had not approached him or his representatives about a potential extension," wrote Rome. "Even if they had, nothing in owner Jim Crane’s past suggested he would make the sort of offer that Valdez would seriously consider. Crane has never guaranteed a starting pitcher more than $85 million. Closer Josh Hader’s five-year, $95 million contract remains the largest free-agent deal during his ownership tenure. It feels far-fetched that he would exceed either number to the extent Valdez will require."

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