With free agency approaching next offseason, Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez could sign one of the largest contract extensions in franchise history. The Astros have had quite the offseason, filling a need at first base with Christian Walker, but parting ways with several core members of their championship team. If you can take nothing else from the departures of Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Ryan Pressly, and Justin Verlander, the Astros saved a good chunk of money on payroll. With Valdez set to be a free agent, now is the time to sign him to a long-term deal.
Framber Valdez Could Receive Historic Contract Extension from Astros
Signed by the Astros as an international free agent in 2015, “La Grasa” has been a staple in Houston since his 2018 debut. Houston’s Opening Day starter for three (and now likely four) consecutive seasons, the 31-year-old left-hander has been nothing shy of an ace. Valdez is coming off of a strong 2024 campaign where, despite a brief stint on the injured list, he finished seventh in American League Cy Young contention. He owns a career 3.30 ERA, 866 strikeouts, and a 62.2 ground ball percentage in 888 ⅔ innings. In his final year of eligibility, Valdez avoided arbitration with the Astros, agreeing to an $18 million salary for 2025.
Framber Valdez had a 1.96 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and a 10.04 K/9 after the All-Star Break last season.
Blake Snell was the only other starting pitcher to have a sub 2 ERA, sub 1 WHIP and at least a 10 K/9 after the All-Star Break. pic.twitter.com/wcwAnTjktb
— Kirk Snyder (@dynastyinfo411) March 12, 2025
Looking at the free agent class of 2026, multiple teams will be vying for the lefty with seven career complete games. Outside of Valdez and fellow southpaw Jordan Montgomery, the starting pitching market will be predominantly right-handed. Montgomery, who is a year older than Valdez, is a decent comparison. Arizona signed the 33-year-old just two days before Opening Day last season, but he struggled, making 19 starts before moving to the bullpen. While Diamondbacks ownership has said Montgomery’s $25 million deal was “a horrible decision,” it gives Valdez a good starting point.
Valdez’s Market Value
Also reaching free agency at the end of the season are right-handers Dylan Cease and Zac Gallen. Cease and Gallen, like Valdez, have twice finished in the top 5 in Cy Young voting and possess sub-3.00 career ERAs. Despite having just as much success as the two right-handers, Valdez is two years older than the pair. While Cease and Gallen are both looking at a potential seven-year deal, starters entering their age-32 season rarely sign for more than four years. Both right-handers will likely secure nearly $30 million annually, a figure Houston has only reached once under Jim Crane’s ownership.
The Athletic’s Tim Britton estimates Valdez to be worth $134 million over five years, signing him through his age-36 season. Jose Altuve holds the record for the largest extension in franchise history, signing a five-year, $151 million deal in 2018. Houston just extended Altuve for another $25 million in average annual value and was prepared to offer Bregman $26 million. Securing Valdez to a long-term deal under $27 million in annual value would be a major win for the Astros. General manager Dana Brown has not approached Valdez, once a topic of trade conversations, or his representatives about an extension. Whether Houston will meet Valdez’s market value remains unclear, but if Brown lets him walk, will their offseason decisions be worth it?
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