Framber Valdez is considered by some to be the best free-agent starting pitcher on the market.
Since becoming a full-time starting pitcher in 2020, Valdez has been remarkably consistent, posting ERAs no lower than 2.82 and no higher than 3.66, the latter his 2025 ERA. Overall in that time frame: 154 appearances (153 starts), 3.23 ERA, 128 ERA+, 75 total home runs allowed (no more than 19 in any season).
He’s left-handed. What’s not to like?
For one thing, he turns 32 next week. That’s a bit old for a starter hitting free agency for the first time. His postseason numbers are pedestrian, and in 2023 and 2024 they were downright bad (four starts, 8.27 ERA).
Then there’s this incident from this past September:
So, maybe that was nothing. But it was still very odd.
Personally, I think if the Cubs are going to commit that sort of money, they should go with someone younger. I wouldn’t sign Valdez. Would you?