The Chicago Cubs have yet to make any major moves this offseason, and fans are understandably getting frustrated. That’s especially considering the conflicting reports out there regarding free-agent targets like Tatsuya Imai and Alex Bregman.
But there is one player some have linked to the Cubs somewhat regularly this winter even though there has been no confirmed reports that Chicago is actually interested: two-time All-Star pitcher Framber Valdez.
Valdez is arguably the top pitcher remaining on the open market, unless you feel that Imai — who is entirely unproven on the major-league level — takes the cake.
However, Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib doesn’t feel that Valdez actually makes any sense for the Cubs.
Is he correct?
Framber Valdez would be a risky addition for the Chicago Cubs
Apr 14, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Campbell rattled off multiple reasons why Valdez would not comprise a good fit for Chicago, starting with his age (he is 32 years old) and also mentioning the cross-up incident he had with catcher Cesar Salazar during his time with the Houston Astros this past season.
The biggest factor Campbell cites, though, is Valdez’s actual pitching style.
“The clear reason why the Cubs won’t be signing Valdez is that he doesn’t fit the profile of the starting pitcher they are looking for,” Campbell wrote. “While Valdez had a respectable strikeout rate of 23.3% last season, his success is predicated on forcing weak contact. The Cubs are looking for a pitcher who earns his reputation by missing bats.”
Valdez registered 187 strikeouts over 192 innings of work in 2025 and owns a lifetime mark of 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings. That’s respectable, but it certainly isn’t elite, and he has only averaged nine or more punchouts per nine innings twice in his big-league career.
It should also be noted that the left-hander tallied a 3.66 ERA this past year, which marked a career-worst. His peripherals were mostly fine, but it’s entirely possible that Valdez is in decline.
Considering Valdez is someone who is expected to earn north of $150 million on a lengthy contract, you can understand why Chicago might not be all that interested.
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