Report: Mets, Orioles among favorites to land Valdez
The free-agent market for Framber Valdez is taking shape.
The New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles are among the favorites to sign the left-hander, sources told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Orioles general manager Mike Elias is familiar with Valdez from their time with the Houston Astros. The executive was part of Houston's front office during the two-time All-Star's first four years with the club.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was also with the Astros when Valdez joined the organization.
Baltimore's rotation currently projects to include Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells, and Cade Povich. The group's depth took a hit in November when the Orioles traded promising but often-injured right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for slugging outfielder Taylor Ward.
Meanwhile, New York's rotation would include Kodai Senga, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, Sean Manaea, and David Peterson if the 2026 season started today.
Valdez would instantly become the No. 1 starter on the Orioles or Mets. The 32-year-old ranks fifth in fWAR among all starting pitchers since 2022, behind only Kevin Gausman, Tarik Skubal, Logan Webb, and Zack Wheeler.
Valdez owns a career 3.36 ERA with 1.20 WHIP and 8.8 K/9 in 1,080 2/3 innings (166 starts) across eight years with the Astros, which included a 2022 World Series title. He's finished inside the top nine in AL Cy Young voting three times.