The Boston Red Sox have already made a splash this offseason by signing Sonny Gray, but they might not be done bolstering the rotation just yet. With the American League East shaping up to be a gauntlet once again-especially after the Blue Jays’ World Series run and their recent addition of Dylan Cease-it’s clear that Boston is gearing up for a serious arms race.
And in a division where power bats like Aaron Judge and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. lurk in opposing lineups, there’s no such thing as too much pitching.
One name being floated as a potential trade target? Framber Valdez. If the Red Sox can pull that off, they’d be adding one of the most consistent and durable left-handers in the game to a rotation that’s already shaping up nicely with Gray, Brayan Bello, and Garrett Crochet.
Valdez brings more than just name recognition-he brings results. Over the last six seasons with the Astros, he’s posted a 3.23 ERA across 154 games.
He’s earned two All-Star nods and has been in the Cy Young conversation in four different seasons. That’s the kind of track record that doesn’t just stabilize a rotation-it elevates it.
Last season, Valdez logged 192 innings over 31 starts with a 3.66 ERA, and he threw two complete games along the way. In today’s game, where workhorse starters are becoming increasingly rare, that kind of durability is gold.
He’s not just a quality arm-he’s a reliable one. And that matters in a division where every fifth day could mean facing a lineup stacked with power and patience.
What makes Valdez an especially intriguing fit for Boston is how his pitching profile complements the existing staff. He works more vertically-north to south-while a guy like Garrett Crochet attacks hitters east to west. That kind of stylistic contrast can keep lineups off balance over a series, especially in October.
Of course, adding another top-tier starter-especially one of Valdez’s caliber-doesn’t come cheap. The Red Sox already handed out a six-year, $199 million deal this offseason, and shelling out more for pitching could limit what they can do on the position player side.
But that doesn’t mean they’re out of options. A trade for an impact bat remains on the table, and there are creative ways to balance the roster without blowing past financial flexibility.
The bottom line? If the Red Sox are serious about contending in the AL East-and all signs point to yes-then going after another high-end starter like Valdez isn’t just aggressive.
It’s necessary. Because in this division, standing still means falling behind.