We're a little over two months from the opening of free agency. Framber Valdez has probably established himself as the #1 pitcher. That's in part due to Dylan Cease's inconsistency and Michael King missing almost three months to a nerve-related shoulder injury. It's also a testimony to Valdez's consistency and incredible run of durability. It's not common for the top pitcher in a free agent year to be one entering his age-32 season. That should be the case this winter.
How does Valdez stack up against the top starting pitchers in previous free agent classes? MLBTR's Contract Tracker, available to Front Office subscribers, allows for direct comparisons. That makes it possible to project what kind of deal his camp should seek as he approaches the biggest payday of his career.
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Hmmmm. Who’s paying him? Not saying he won’t be paid, but who are the teams that will pay him $180 million or more?
Yankees love a LHP and Framber keeps the ball on the ground.
Well the Astros, Cubs, Angels, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, and Mets would all make a lot of sense. Based on Nola and Snell’s deals, I think $180M is possible.
Wouldn’t mind the Cubs making a bid for him but they have Boyd, Imanaga and Steele(When he returnd) as LHPs. Don’t know if they need a 4th Lefty starter. I’m glad Steele didn’t have full blown TJS
That’s fair, but the Cubs just need a durable front of line starter and Valdez will be by far the best option available, unless the Twins make Joe Ryan available.
The Snell v Framber debate is interesting and really depends on team resources.
Snell is who you would rather have in a playoff game (top 5 pitcher ceiling), but Valdez is more likely to help you get there (is consistently a leader in IP).
He’s remarkably stayed healthy throughout his career unless those earlier seasons weren’t his introduction into the big leagues? Plus he seems have broken through the 200 inning mark once perhaps his best year? Not close thereafter. I’m sure he’ll get a fat check. I don’t like guessing on a guy’s contract cause I’ll completely miss the mark. But that said, , I’ll throw out 160 and 6 years because there’s always a team who will do just that.
Fun fact: his 164.1 IP this year are 2.1 innings short of the MLB lead
He’s a workhorse by todays standards
Some deep pocket teams that flame out quick in playoffs will bid him up besides those that have had lowish payrolls and are more ready to compete.
5/150mil and a vesting option for 6th seems doable with lack of big time alternatives. Max guarantee now will be king rather than opt out inclusions given his age.
30 mil for a durable #2 for a WS contender seems a little cheap. I think it depends on how long he wants. I think there will be a few teams to go 4/150 or make it longer but only adding like 10m per year.
He’ll get paid. He pitches, doesn’t throw. Very underrated and see him as a great number two and can be a one on a good staff behind him.
Astros should try to keep him but i think the usual suspects (Yankees, Mets, Phillies, Dodgers) will be in on Valdez but i can see team’s like the Orioles and Blue Jays in as well. The Red Sox will be faced with a massive rotation depth issue next winter as well and should be in as well
Orioles should be all-in on Framber, Cease or both. I could see AJ sniff around Framber if Cease and King both depart SD. Framber has been clutch for awhile; great pitcher!
Buyer beware. The Astros won’t bring him back for a reason, he can be very good, but bad Framber shows up when you least need to see it.
Yep. He deserves what he will get paid, but I really hope it isn’t from Houston. I have enjoyed watching him, but he can be a head case. Great number 2 that will be paid to be a 1.