Pirates Enter Bid for Framber Valdez
The Pittsburgh Pirates have emerged as a surprising contender for ace pitcher Framber Valdez, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. This development marks Pittsburgh as one of the more aggressive teams in pursuing the left-handed star.
Pirates’ Interest in Framber Valdez
Framber Valdez declined a qualifying offer from the Houston Astros at the season’s start. If the Pirates secure a deal for him, they would forfeit their third-highest pick in the 2026 draft. Although this strategy may seem puzzling given the team’s strong starting pitching cadre, signing Valdez could allow the Pirates to leverage their depth to acquire key offensive players.
Potential Trade Targets
The offseason has significantly narrowed trade options, but the Pirates might engage the Arizona Diamondbacks about Ketel Marte. Other possibilities include discussions with the Boston Red Sox regarding Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu, and the Washington Nationals about CJ Abrams.
- Ketel Marte – Arizona Diamondbacks
- Jarren Duran – Boston Red Sox
- Wilyer Abreu – Boston Red Sox
- CJ Abrams – Washington Nationals
While younger pitchers might be on the trading block, Paul Skenes remains untouchable, as stated by General Manager Ben Cherington. Other pitchers such as Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft, and Bubba Chandler are ready to contribute significantly. Jared Jones is expected back after recovering from UCL surgery.
Depth of Young Pitching Talent
The Pirates possess a wealth of young arms, including Hunter Barco, Thomas Harrington, and Wilber Dotel, all of whom are nearing Major League readiness. Last summer, the team selected right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez with the sixth overall pick, further enhancing their rotational depth.
Pairing Valdez with the talent like Skenes could form one of the most formidable pitching duos in Major League Baseball.
Framber Valdez’s Career Performance
Framber Valdez has established himself as a dependable starter for the Astros, pitching 767.2 innings over the past four seasons. His career stats include:
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.21 |
| Strikeout Rate | 23.9% |
| Walk Rate | 7.9% |
| Ground-ball Rate | 60% |
Among qualified starters over the last four seasons, Valdez ranks high in innings pitched and ground-ball rates.
Contract Considerations
Acquiring Valdez may demand a record-setting contract for the Pirates, who recently offered Kyle Schwarber a deal in the range of $120-125 million over four years. Valdez, seeking a long-term commitment, faces a challenging free-agent market for pitchers over 32. Historically, few free-agent pitchers in this age group have received lucrative long-term deals.
Current projections indicate the Pirates are on track for a $95 million payroll this season, which approaches franchise highs. This willingness to invest reflects a commitment to elevate team performance.
Market Dynamics for Framber Valdez
While the Orioles have consistently been linked to Valdez, teams like the Blue Jays, Braves, Giants, Mets, and Red Sox continue to show interest. Whether Valdez will agree to a shorter contract with opt-outs remains uncertain, as does Pittsburgh’s approach to his potential deal.
