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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