How likely are the odds that the Houston Astros will sell at the 2025 trade deadline?
Anyone who's watched the Astros consistently for the last decade will tell you how unlikely it seems as a thought exercise. But things have changed in Houston since the end of last season, and with a ballooning payroll, change could be on the way if the team is out of the race at the trade deadline.
One clear candidate to be moved if the Astros do sell is left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez, a two-time All-Star and 2022 World Series hero whose contract expires at the end of the season. The 32-year-old is making $18 million in 2025 and will likely be gunning for a nine-figure contract.
On Tuesday, New York Post insider Jon Heyman appeared on MLB Network and gave his opinion that Valdez could be one of the biggest pieces moved before the Jul. 31 deadline passes.
"I'm not wishing this on (Houston), but if they're not in the race, of course they are in the race every year, but you never know, Framber Valdez is a free agent after the year," Heyman said.
"He's one of the best pitchers in the game. I liken him to Max Fried, he's terrific. They could get a ton for him if they're not in the race, but as I said, they're in the race every year, they're in the race right now. We shall see."
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It's certainly not a revolutionary idea that Valdez could be traded, as there was lots of speculation it could happen after the team dealt outfielder Kyle Tucker in the offseason.
But they didn't do it then, and unless they're a long way out of the playoff race or he's pitching so well they think they can get a king's ransom, it's hard to predict that the odds of it happening are greater than 50 percent.
However, those odds are also definitively not zero. It's going to be a bumpy next few months in Houston, unless the Astros can win enough games to quiet the rumors for good.
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