The Houston Astros spent the entire winter looking to replace Framber Valdez. But now, they are squarely in play to get him back.
General manager Dana Brown said the Astros are interested in bringing back the left-hander, according to Astros writer Michael Schwab. The admission marks a notable shift for a front office that publicly operated as if Valdez’s departure was a foregone conclusion for the past two months.
Houston Astros Could Bring Back All-Star Pitcher Framber Valdez
Just weeks ago, Brown appeared on MLB Network and spoke about Valdez in something closer to past tense. “Well, look, Framber’s still out there,” Brown said in January. “We don’t know how that’s going to play out. But we know that we had to get some starting pitching.” He added: “When you’re losing Framber — he’s still on the market, he’s out there — but if you don’t get him, of course, you’re losing those innings.”
The Astros moved accordingly. Houston signed Japanese hurler Tatsuya Imai, acquired Mike Burrows from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-team trade, and added Ryan Weiss — all framed by Brown as direct responses to Valdez’s expected departure. The front office appeared ready to move on.
Now, with pitchers and catchers set to report in a matter of days, the calculus has apparently changed.
Valdez’s Free Agent Market Stalled While Astros Made Other Additions
Valdez entered free agency as arguably the best pitcher available. Dylan Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Ranger Suárez landed in Boston on a five-year, $130 million contract. Michael King re-signed with the San Diego Padres. All three found homes while Valdez waited.
MLB insider Jim Bowden offered a blunt assessment on Foul Territory earlier this week. He said Valdez’s market has “completely fallen flat” despite extensive digging around the league for information on the left-hander’s situation.
Several factors could have contributed to the slowdown. Valdez, who turned 32 in November, has been seeking a deal of at least five years, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The $22.025 million qualifying offer he declined from Houston means any other team that signs him must surrender draft pick compensation.
But with Valdez’s asking price potentially coming down and fewer options materializing, Houston may have found an unexpected opening to bring back the pitcher who anchored their rotation for four seasons.
Why a Reunion Now Makes Sense for Both Sides
Valdez’s resume across eight seasons in Houston speaks for itself. The left-hander went 81-52 with a 3.36 ERA and 18.9 WAR across 1,080.2 innings. He struck out 1,053 batters, earned two All-Star selections in 2022 and 2023, and won a World Series ring in 2022. He finished in the top 10 of American League Cy Young voting in three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2024, including a seventh-place finish in 2024 when he posted a 2.91 ERA and a career-best 4.4 WAR.
Durability has been his calling card. Valdez topped 190 innings in three of the last four seasons — 201.1 in 2022, 198.0 in 2023, and 192.0 in 2025 — and threw nine complete games and three shutouts over his career. Those are the kind of workhorse numbers that are increasingly difficult to find in modern baseball.
The Astros desperately need that kind of stability. Houston missed the playoffs in 2025 for the first time since 2016, finishing 87-75 after holding a seven-game division lead at one point during the season.
Astros Reverse Course on World Series Hero After Spending Winter Replacing Him