Rumors surrounding the Giants and free-agent starting pitcher Framber Valdez have begun to circulate.

Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow joined KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus” on Thursday and was asked about San Francisco potentially pursuing the star pitcher.

“Well, I hope so,” Krukow said. “I think he’s one of the top pitchers in the game, and I like his style because he’s extremely unique. High three-quarter release, big curveball — one of the best in the game — Clayton Kershaw-type curveball. He not only gets strikeouts, but he gets ground balls.

“And he also has one of the best sinkers that gets lots of ground balls, and he’s left-handed. I mean, what’s not to like?”

Signing a two-time All-Star pitcher typically is a no-brainer, but there are questions about Valdez, who had a controversial cross-up incident last season with the Houston Astros.

In the fifth inning of the Astros’ loss to the Yankees on Sept. 9, outfielder Trent Grisham hit a grand slam off Valdez, who threw a pitch even though his catcher, César Salazar, motioned him to step off the rubber.

Two pitches later, a frustrated Valdez accidentally struck Salazar in the chest protector with a sinker, which Krukow, a former MLB pitcher, had some strong thoughts on.

“Once you make a mistake like that, you never make it again because you realize you just made yourself the biggest hemorrhoid in baseball, and that’s the last thing you want to do,” Krukow explained.

However, the Giants broadcaster still believes the incident should not deter president of baseball operations Buster Posey and company from pursuing Valdez.

“I don’t think it’s an issue as you go forth with this guy,” Krukow added. “I think he atoned for it. I think he felt bad for it. He made a terrible mistake, but I don’t think that’s gonna hurt any club from wanting this guy, and that would include the Giants.”

Since the 2022 season, Valdez has started 121 games, posting a 3.21 ERA with 750 strikeouts.

Adding the two-time All-Star to the Giants rotation would bolster a group headlined by Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Adrian Houser.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast