Houston Astros rumors: Mixed signals on a Framber Valdez extension
By Kevin Henry
The Houston Astros just made an investment in one of their young starting pitchers, locking up Cristian Javier with a five-year extension. Rumors are now swirling that the Astros may be closing in on an extension with another key member of the rotation, Framber Valdez. However, a quick rebuttal came after those rumors were published as well, sending mixed signals on just where (if anywhere) the contract extension discussions really were.
Houston Astros rumors: Framber Valdez nearing a contract extension?
According to Héctor Gómez, the Astros and the the 29-year-old Valdez could potentially have a deal done by the time Houston opens defense of its World Series title at home on March 30 against the Chicago White Sox. Gómez reports Valdez could be looking for a contract topping $150 million.
However, the agent for Valdez came out on Tuesday morning against the report.
The Astros and Framber Valdez have had no negotiations about a long-term extension, his agent said on Tuesday morning, calling a report of Valdez signing before opening day for at least $150 million "absolutely 100 percent made up information.” - https://t.co/Qs9cHSIDwt
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 14, 2023
Valdez led all of baseball with 201.1 innings pitched last season, making 31 starts and throwing three complete games, also an MLB-high. In his first All-Star season, Valdez posted a 2.82 ERA/3.06 FIP/1.157 WHIP, helping him to a fifth-place finish in the American League Cy Young race.
He was also a key piece for the Astros in the postseason, making four starts and allowing four earned runs and 14 hits in 25.0 innings while striking out 33 and walking just eight. He also pitched a pivotal Game 2 of the World Series after the Philadelphia Phillies had taken Game 1 in Houston, surrendering just four hits and one run in 6.1 innings.
New Astros general manager Dana Brown has teased that the franchise is “getting closer” with some potential contract extensions on the team, and Valdez is reportedly seen as one of those candidates. Among the other players mentioned have been outfielder Kyle Tucker and perhaps Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve, both of whom are free agents after the 2024 season.
Valdez may have shown just how much he values his relationship with the Astros moving forward by agreeing to skip the upcoming World Baseball Classic and a chance to pitch for the Dominican Republic. Valdez had originally committed to pitching in the WBC, but Brown and the Astros recommended he not, considering the World Series extending into November and WBC action beginning in early March.
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Will that lead to Valdez and the Astros also eventually finding common ground on a contract extension that will be mutually beneficial? We’ll see if something really happens before Opening Day.