Framber Valdez is the most talented starting pitcher still available in free agency, and some have speculated that his attitude concerns are the reason why.<\/p>\n
Valdez crossed up his catcher during a game last season with the Houston Astros, and virtually all of MLB condemned the act. It couldn\u2019t have done much to grow Valdez\u2019s list of free-agent suitors.<\/p>\n
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Nonetheless, Valdez is way too valuable as a rotation arm for someone not to sign him.<\/p>\n
And Bleacher Report\u2019s Zachary D. Rymer offered the Arizona Diamondbacks as a worthy surprise choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe signs seem pointed toward Framber Valdez landing with the Baltimore Orioles, where he would reunite with Mike Elias and further supercharge an already much-improved team,\u201d Rymer wrote on Monday<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if any alternative is worth plucking out of the hat, it\u2019s the Diamondbacks. They have already defied expectations this winter, with talks of a reduced payroll and a Ketel Marte trade giving way splashes on Merrill Kelly and Nolan Arenado and no Marte trade.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cEvidently, they still aim to contend,\u201d Rymer continued. \u201cWere they to sign Valdez, they\u2019d get to slot him at the top of their rotation and then just sit back and watch his ground-ball style work wonders with what should be an excellent infield defense.\u201d<\/p>\n Valdez put together a number of quality starts for the Astros in 2025, finishing with a 13-11 record.<\/p>\n In his career since 2018 with the Astros, Valdez has two All-Star selections, a World Series ring, and consistent excellence as a ground-ball ace with Cy Young contention.<\/p>\n More MLB:<\/p>\n