Framber Valdez met with the New York Mets, among other teams, this offseason, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. There’s no doubt that the Mets have had interest in signing a veteran starting pitcher due to how weak their starting rotation is. But other reports have noted that the team is “reluctant to hand out long-term offers.” With Valdez still on the open market, are they willing to change that policy and sign him to a long-term deal?
Framber Valdez
For the past eight seasons, Framber Valdez was a member of the Houston Astros starting rotation. He was part of their World Series-winning team in 2022 and played alongside Justin Verlander, who was a Met for half a season. Valdez began to make a name for himself in 2021, when he went 11-6 on a 3.14 ERA. That season, he recorded 125 strikeouts in 22 starts.
Valdez improved in 2022, going 17-6 and a 2.82 ERA. He struck out 194 batters in a career high 201 innings. Those statistics helped him make his first All-Star appearance. Valdez returned to the All-Star game the following year, having gone 12-11 with a 3.45 ERA.
Framber Valdez remained consistent on the mound during his final two seasons with the Astros. He went 15-7 on a 2.91 ERA in 2024. Valdez struck out 169 batters, but gave up 140 hits and 57 earned runs. Last season, he went 13-11 with a 3.66 ERA. He collected 187 strikeouts in 192 innings but surrendered 171 hits and 78 earned runs. His steady decline in production can be due to age, considering he is 32.
The Mets Starting Rotation
It’s reasonable to expect that the Mets will send Framber Valdez an offer. That is because their starting rotation is relatively light and can use rotation power. This will help them win more games and remain in playoff contention for years to come.
David Peterson and Clay Holmes are the Mets’ only veteran pitchers. However, reports have suggested they may trade Peterson to add more depth to the bullpen. They do have Sean Manaea under contract, but he was limited to 15 games last season due to a slew of injuries. Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong are on the roster, but they are younger players still developing their skills.
Valdez can help mitigate some of those weaknesses and add star power. But at 32, his production might decline even more, meaning the Mets will be less likely to offer a long-term deal. Either way, the Mets will have to decide whether they are willing to sign Valdez or not.
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