The Astros are telling opposing teams they do not intend to trade left-hander Framber Valdez, writes Jeff Passan of ESPN. Houston’s ace had come up in trade rumors at the Winter Meetings.
In response to a question regarding the availability of Valdez and Kyle Tucker, general manager Dana Brown said he was willing to “listen on all the players.” That proved a precursor for the Tucker blockbuster, which dropped a few days later and subsequently lessened the financial pressure for the Astros to move Valdez. After the Tucker deal, Brown said that he didn’t anticipate trading Valdez but would continue listening to offers.
There could be semantics at play. Few players around the league are truly untouchable. There’s presumably some point at which an offer would compel them to consider moving Valdez. For now, however, it seems they’re unwilling to do so. The two-time All-Star is set to return to the top of a rotation that’ll also include Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco and likely Spencer Arrighetti. Righties Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. could be back by Opening Day, while J.P. France could return midseason. Hayden Wesneski, acquired in the Tucker trade, can compete for a rotation or multi-inning relief role.
MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects Valdez for a $17.8MM salary during his final arbitration season. Brown said last week that there’d been no recent extension talks. The southpaw is trending towards walking in free agency on a nine-figure deal. While Houston didn’t want that to happen with Tucker, they were content to allow George Springer and Carlos Correa to depart as free agents. Alex Bregman could follow suit. They’d recoup a draft choice if Valdez walks after declining a qualifying offer, which he’d surely do if he enjoys a 2025 season that’s in line with his lofty standards. That’s less valuable than what they’d receive in trade, but they’re weighing that against the desire to win the AL West again in 2025.
Brown expressed optimism that the Astros would be able to take the division even if they traded one of Tucker or Valdez. The return package reflected that balance. Cam Smith immediately became the top prospect in a weak farm system, while Isaac Paredes and Wesneski jump right onto the MLB roster.
Valdez is coming off a 2.91 ERA showing across 176 1/3 innings. That marked his fourth consecutive year with an ERA south of 3.50. Valdez has finished in the top 10 in Cy Young voting for three seasons running. He has topped 175 frames in each of those years.
I don’t blame them.
If you’re not going to extend him, trade him. I swear if this team lets another star walk with nothing to show for it other than a late draft pick…
They’re probably waiting until the deadline. Teams might be more desperate for a SP by then.
The Stros let Springer walk after a 29-31 short season record and a trip to the ALCS.
The next year, without Springer, they went to the WS.
They then let Correa walk after going to the Series.
The next year, without Correa, they won the WS.
Keeping their stars and trying to win…and then letting them walk…seems to have worked very well for Houston.
Don’t forget to mention letting Cole walk away, and shortly Bregman doing the same. That luck can only last so long.
Except their farm system is Trash can worthy now.
That oft-repeated claim bears some examination. From that “trash” farm system, they produced one of the best shortstops in baseball, who won MVP in the World Series. Then they produced one of the best catchers in baseball.
Three pitchers in the current lineup came from that “trash” farm system..
If you base it on what MLB consider to be the top 100 prospects, Astros rate near the bottom, but they keep on finding gold there.
Astros AAA affiliate also won the championship last season.
Whos “one of the best SS in baseball?” You mean correa who was a top prospect. Or pena? Whos not one of the top ss in baseball. Diaz is a good bat but his defense at C means he doesnt crack top 10 in war at C last three years. Good players but complementary pieces.
Tucker was a top 10 prospect. Brown top 50. You can find diamonds in the rough but hard to sustain that.
Ok but then why did they trade Tucker?
@Bita
Tucker will hit the FA market at age 27-28. He’s a top 5 player, arguably, and will likely command a desk around 10/$400. In contrast, Valdez will be 32 going into the 2026 season. Astros might feel that he would be open to a shorter term deal nevertheless of his age. Maybe he’d be amicable to a 5/$150 or 6/$180? Maybe mngt indicated they would be open to an extension whereas Tucker stayed he going to test FA.
If Valdez was going to be extended it probably would have happened by now.
@Bita
Not necessarily. But until they know what’s up with Bregman and the rest of the team. ST more likely.
It takes two to tango.
That happened only because Houston had the talent in their system from the perpetual tank job they did last decade. Well that run of talent is going to run out if it hasn’t already so I wouldn’t be too sure of yourself that Houston can keep rebounding after shedding star players.
How could you be upset regarding the departures of Springer, Correa, or Cole? I was pleased when they left and happier now seeing their results since. Now, Bregman can enjoy being overpaid on another team as they have. It’d be nice if Valdez was extended but it won’t hurt the team if he signs elsewhere. Same applies to Yordan when his contract is up.
Not sure why you would trade Tucker in walk year and not Valdez.
exactly!
Because pitchers are more prone to injury and Astros have just come through a horror year with pitching injuries. Reducing the number of pitchers they have might be a bit of a no-go zone for them.
Bingo!! You can never have enough starting pitching. Get through this year, and then have Javier, Garcia, France, and maybe McCullers available for the full season of 2026.
So trade him for young and mlb ready pitching like a trade to the orioles for Kremer Povich and beavers
You get a outfielder and 2 mlb ready starters
27 and 400 or more vs 31 and 120 or so.
Those seem to be the pertinent numbers.
Astros over here making sure they look competitive to see if Arenado will change. lol.
I’m confused though. Why sell off all these guys and try to trade for Arenado?
I think Tucker had a lot more value than Framber, they probably entertained the idea but were not liking what other front offices were offering. The pitching kinda relies on Framber this season, Hunter Brown found remarkable success and who knows if Ronel Blanco can repeat his breakout season. Offense wise I think they could have afforded to lose Tucker slightly more than they could Framber and remain somewhat competitive, to make the post season at least. Keep in mind they basically did that last year, most of Tucker’s playtime was before the Astros went on the crazy stint of having like the 2nd or 3rd best record in baseball for the last 4 months. Arenado is a cheaper Bregman, I think if the Astros can somehow add 2 slightly above average bats then they have a strong chance to win a weak AL West again. It’s all about money here
Who are “all these guys” ??
Maybe it was a matter of trading only one of the two and since Tucker went first….
The Orioles need Valdez. They need a lefty and they won’t commit real money to a pitcher so this is what they need to do. They can include a pitcher or 2 in return plus some outfielder or outfielders. The Astros need everything it’s easy to line up a deal with them.
Because Valdez is their best pitcher and Tucker is their second best OF?
Tucker Yankees and Cubs called and Cubs got the deal. Framber no one has expressed interest. They will take compensation for him unless trade at deadline. Depending on what our season looks like. Whether part of Arenado plea. I do not blame him for saying no. The Bregman stalemate is holdup. Bregman if wanted to stay would have accepted. If deal now is hindering him and seeing what would get waiting. Really wonder if Breggy will get a better deal from what Houston has offered. I know he thought he would have deals piling up but not so. Houston has no one who can take Framber Place. Unless we get Cease or Burnes or Flaherty. We have no outfield either Chas and Meyers and Dubon probably. So May be hurting this season. What Paredes brings depends on many factors. Espada no good managing but his wild lineups
Well Hoyer saw Cam Smith and traded him for a one year rental. I saw Cam Smith and saw the Cubs starting 3B on opening day in 2026 and for the next ten years. So because Hoyer isn’t very bright you got a gift with some other trinkets thrown in to boot. Just say ” Thanks Jed” and enjoy.
It makes you wonder what’s weaker – the farm system or the scouting staff. Pitchers are much more likely to blow out an arm/elbow/shoulder, etc., than a position player is to suffer a career-ending injury.
Please tell us how you know “no one has expressed interest”.
If the Astros trade Valdez, they’re either throwing in the towel or they’re showing the league they have a winning formula- they figured out the Red Sox trading Nomar to win formula and understand how to apply it successfully to virtually any and all players and positions.
But that said, they can’t be certain Ronel Blanco is officially the real deal and can be relied upon, etc.
I hate the Astros but smart and dumb baseball is smart and dumb baseball and so I just don’t see how they can trade Framber for enough to remain competitive in the near future- seems like a Valdez trade is an official mostly full rebuild mode.
And can’t be certain that any of those returning from the IL will be any good.
In all my years of watching Pro Sports there are a couple of phrases that always get used…The proverbial “Vote of Confidence” to retain a Manager or GM and “It’s Not our Intent to trade______fill in the blank”.
The “Vote of Confidence” is the kiss of death and they get fired and the ” Not our Intent to trade” is a harbinger of a trade.
until the big starters are signed, there will not be much of a market for Valdez, also I agree with speculation that the team wants to make sure we don’t have a rash of injuries in spring training again. If we get through Spring Training without injuries then I can see him being moved, since teams will also know if they need a starter by then.
Who else wants to see Houston in last place in the West?
Just you, apparently.