Framber Valdez’s days in Houston appear to be over, and the latest report from Mark Feinsand of MLB.com only confirms what many around already guessed.
Even before the Astros landed Tatsuya Imai, there wasn’t any expectation that Valdez would be part of their long-term plans.
“Aside from taking the Astros out of the mix -- and I don’t believe Houston was truly in that mix for any of them -- the Imai deal shouldn’t have a huge impact on any of those three starting pitchers. If anything, it only cements the idea that a return to Houston is no longer in the cards for Valdez, who was expected to sign with a new team, anyway,” he wrote.
As Feinsand touched on, Valdez is moving on. It might be better for both sides, too, after a somewhat weird final year in Houston. The Astros have reshaped their rotation without him, even if that means letting one of the most reliable left-handers in baseball walk.
Valdez has been a big help to Houston’s success for nearly a decade, pitching in big moments.
However, Houston’s decision to land multiple pitchers for likely cheaper than Valdez would seem to be the better plan, and one it decided to make.
Now, the focus shifts to where Valdez will land. He’s expected to command a massive deal in MLB free agency this winter.
More Astros news:
- Insider provides new details on Mets pursuit of Astros’ Tatsuya Imai
- Cubs get important update on Astros’ Framber Valdez after Houston signed Tatsuya Imai
- Astros slugger reportedly being viewed as a trade target for the Red Sox after earning his second All-Star nod last season
- Astros predicted to sign Rangers All-Star and World Series champion who was recently non-tendered
- Astros’ Ryan Pressly connected to reunion with team he made his debut with back in 2015
- Astros blockbuster trade pitch sends Brice Matthews and three more players to Nationals for 26-year-old All-Star