Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez has been one of the league’s best workhorses, and before his injury last season, he was fourth in the league in innings pitched since 2020.
Leading up to the offseason, with a weakened starting pitching class, Valdez is primed to be the headlining option in the winter, and Patrick McAvoy of Sports Illustrated thinks that the New York Mets are a prime landing spot.
Valdez has been in Cy Young conversations for the past three seasons, but has yet to come away with the award for himself. This season, the lefty has posted a 3.42 ERA but is likely to lose the award once again as Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has run away with the award.
The Mets’ starting pitching has been in the top half of the league this season, but since the trade deadline, Mets starters have the seventh-worst ERA in the league. This could be solved with Valdez’s electric stuff and may help prevent another late-season slide next season, as the Mets are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs.
Valdez would solidify the top of the Mets’ rotation and take the pressure off their bullpen by churning out quality starts with the explosive Mets offense.
Valdez is expected to be one of the top options on the market, and with many teams in pursuit of starting pitching is set up for a big payday in the winter. The Mets aren’t afraid to open their wallet for a chance to win, and with their pitching misfortunes lately, might go above and beyond to bring Valdez to the Big Apple.