Astros’ Framber Valdez linked to Blue Jays ahead of MLB free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News

Certain arms around Major League Baseball are too valuable to give up, including left-hander Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros.

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Throughout the campaign, Valdez has once again been one of the better starters in Major League Baseball. Outside of his brutal August, there was a strong argument to be made that he was one of the top three pitchers in the game.

Unfortunately, Valdez has allowed 19 earned runs in his last four starts, raising his ERA from 2.62 to 3.32. Still, he has a 3.32 ERA in 25 outings, striking out 156 in that span.

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As he’s set to hit the free agency market at the end of the season, many believe that it’ll come with a big payday. When examining which teams could be involved for him, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com noted that the Toronto Blue Jays could be one of them.

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“There are some high-end starting pitchers on the market this winter, but none with the same track record as Valdez, who has a 3.16 ERA over 148 games since becoming a full-time starter in 2020. Valdez is having a strong season (11-7, 3.32 ERA in 25 starts and 157 1/3 innings) in his walk year, and he’s pitched in the postseason in each of the past five years, including a dominant four-start stretch in 2022 (3-0, 1.44 ERA) during the Astros’ World Series title run. A two-time All-MLB Team selection, the lefty should land a high AAV (average annual value) to lead someone’s rotation, though his age makes the length of the deal a bit less certain.

“Potential fits: Astros, Blue Jays, Orioles,” he wrote.

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With how well the Blue Jays have played over the past few months, Toronto should be looking to improve its roster in a massive way.

If Valdez is looking for the most money, the Blue Jays might be willing to give him that.

It’s something the Astros have to keep in mind, as this is a situation they don’t want to see unfold.