Report: Pirates pushing hard for Valdez, join Jays among suitors
The free-agent market for Framber Valdez, arguably the best starter left in free agency, seems to be picking up steam with spring training approaching.
The Pittsburgh Pirates - already flush with starting pitching - are aggressively pursuing Valdez, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Pittsburgh turned its eyes toward the left-hander after failing to find additional offensive upgrades. The Bucs previously signed Ryan O'Hearn and traded for Brandon Lowe and were apparently among the finalists for slugger Eugenio Suárez before he joined the division-rival Cincinnati Reds.
Valdez would boost an already excellent Pirates rotation into one of baseball's best. He'd join superstar Paul Skenes as one half of a formidable duo atop the group, with Mitch Keller and top prospect Bubba Chandler slotting in behind them. The 32-year-old would bring big-game experience to a young staff, having made 16 career playoff starts while helping pitch the Houston Astros to a World Series title in 2022.
Signing in Pittsburgh would also reunite Valdez with longtime Astros pitching coach Bill Murphy, who left Houston for the same job with the Pirates earlier this winter.
Other teams showing interest in the 32-year-old Valdez include the Toronto Blue Jays, Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported Tuesday.
Toronto's front office reportedly met with Valdez's camp at the GM meetings in mid-November before the team signed right-hander Dylan Cease. However, Valdez's current fit with the Blue Jays isn't clear after the club added Cease and Cody Ponce to a rotation that already includes Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, and José Berríos.
Ultimately, the Blue Jays' current interest in Valdez may only spike if his price tag falls to their preferred level, Rosenthal reports. It's unclear what Toronto's preferred range may be.
The Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets have also been linked to the two-time All-Star this winter. The Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres continue to pursue rotation upgrades, according to Rosenthal, although the extent of their interest in Valdez - if it exists - is not clear.
The Orioles could use another frontline starter despite trading for Shane Baz and re-signing Zach Eflin. Meanwhile, the Mets look set for starting pitching after acquiring ace Freddy Peralta to lead a group that includes Nolan McLean, David Peterson, Clay Holmes, Sean Manaea, and Kodai Senga.
Valdez owns a career 3.36 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and 8.8 K/9 across eight years with the Astros.