Free agent profile: Framber Valdez

Free Agent Profile: Framber Valdez

When the clock strikes 5 p.m., free agency officially begins in Major League Baseball. The 2026 class lacks a headline star like Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, or Juan Soto, but still offers significant talent. Spotrac forecasts a dozen players earning at least $20 million annually, including six starting pitchers. This offseason, we'll explore potential fits for Baltimore.

Player Overview

Name: Framber Valdez
Position: Left-handed pitcher (LHP)
Age: 31 years old

2025 Performance Stats

Record: 13-11
Innings pitched: 192.0
ERA: 3.66
WHIP: 1.245
Strikeouts per 9 innings (K/9): 8.8
Walks per 9 innings (BB/9): 3.2

Contract Estimate

FanGraphs projects a contract of 5 years worth $135 million for Valdez.

Player Profile and Strengths

Since joining Houston’s starting rotation in 2020, Valdez has been remarkably consistent. Over five seasons, he started 143 games—about 29 per season—maintaining a 3.20 ERA while striking out nearly nine batters and issuing three walks per nine innings. During this span, he earned three top-10 Cy Young Award finishes along with two top-20 MVP rankings.

Valdez’s specialty is inducing groundballs, making him effective at controlling offense. According to Statcast data since 2021, he has never fallen below the 90th percentile in groundball rate, reaching an impressive 59.4% in 2025. His success is supported by athletic infielders like Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, and Jeremy Peña, who complement his style behind the mound.

"Valdez has been the model of consistency since cementing himself in Houston’s starting rotation in 2020."

Author's summary: Framber Valdez stands out as a reliable left-handed starter whose groundball mastery and consistent performance make him a valuable asset for teams seeking pitching stability.

MASN Sports — 2025-11-07