Framber Valdez is exactly the type of frontline starting pitcher the San Francisco Giants should be targeting as MLB free agency approaches. The Giants enter the offseason looking to close the gap in the NL West and build a roster capable of competing with the Los Angeles Dodgers over a full season.
While San Francisco has made strides with recent roster additions, starting pitching remains the clearest area where an aggressive move could change the team’s ceiling.
Oracle Park continues to be one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in Major League Baseball, making it an attractive destination for elite arms. Giants fans have seen the organization hesitate on true ace-level additions in recent years, often opting for depth over dominance.
This winter presents an opportunity to reverse that trend. Signing Framber Valdez would signal a commitment to contending rather than merely competing.
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The Giants’ current rotation outlook features Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Landen Roupp, Carson Whisenhunt, Hayden Birdsong, and Keaton Winn. On paper, that group is solid, but it lacks a second true difference-maker behind Webb.
San Francisco’s rotation posted a respectable 4.10 ERA last season, and notably, their four most frequently used starters each finished with ERAs in the low-to-mid 3.00s.
Still, consistency and durability at the top matter, especially in a division where pitching depth is critical. Webb, Ray, and Roupp are expected back in 2026, but Justin Verlander is not, leaving a clear opening for a high-impact arm rather than another stopgap solution.
That is where Valdez becomes an ideal fit. The left-hander will be 31 years old entering free agency and has been one of baseball’s most reliable starters over the past several seasons.
With the Houston Astros, Valdez posted a career ERA hovering around 3.30, surpassed 200 innings pitched multiple times, and finished as the 2022 American League Cy Young runner-up. In 2024, he once again delivered frontline production, combining durability with elite ground-ball rates and consistent strikeout totals. His ability to limit hard contact would play even better in spacious Oracle Park.
Contractually, Valdez has never signed a long-term extension with Houston, instead pitching on arbitration deals, including a one-year contract worth just over $12 million in his most recent season with the Astros.
That means he will hit free agency without significant mileage from a long-term deal already on his arm, making him one of the most attractive starters on the market. For the Giants, this is exactly the type of pitcher worth a multi-year investment.
There may not be a better on-field fit for Valdez. Oracle Park suppresses power, and the Giants’ elite infield defense led by Matt Chapman and Willy Adames would maximize Valdez’s ground-ball heavy approach. That defensive support could help him sustain ace-level production well into his contract.
Financially, San Francisco is positioned to strike. Despite absorbing Rafael Devers’ massive contract midseason, the Giants actually spent less in 2025 than they did the year prior.
That flexibility should make it easier to pursue a marquee free agent starter. If the Giants are serious about closing the gap in the NL West, signing Framber Valdez is the kind of bold move that aligns talent, fit, and timing perfectly.