When the Houston Astros wrapped up their 2025 season, the writing was on the wall for Framber Valdez's departure. After rejecting a qualifying offer from Houston, Valdez eventually inked a three-year, $115 million deal with the Detroit Tigers.
A recent survey by The Athletic, involving 36 executives, managers, coaches, and scouts, asked two intriguing questions: Who was the most irreplaceable subtraction any team faced this winter? And who was the best subtraction?
Interestingly, Valdez's name popped up on both lists. Five front office executives deemed him the most irreplaceable loss, while three others considered him the best departure. For Astros fans, this duality might seem puzzling, but it underscores the complexity of Valdez's impact.
Astros' Loss of Framber Valdez: A Double-Edged Sword
Why is Valdez's absence such a significant hit for the Astros? The answer lies in his role as a frontline starter, a void Houston hasn't adequately filled. While GM Dana Brown added Tatsuya Imai, Ryan Weiss, and Mike Burrows to the roster, none match Valdez's caliber.
Valdez has been a model of durability, consistently delivering strong performances with a 3.66 ERA and 3.37 FIP over 31 starts last season, despite a rough patch late in the summer. Replicating that kind of production will be a tall order.
However, Valdez's tenure in Houston wasn't without its challenges. Tensions with coaches and teammates, notably with Cesar Salazar, cast a shadow over his free agency. Although Valdez has since mended fences, these issues likely dampened interest from other teams.
Astros fans are now left to ponder whether Valdez's departure will prove beneficial or detrimental. Meanwhile, former Astros infielder Alex Bregman, now with the Chicago Cubs, topped the list as the most irreplaceable subtraction, highlighting the ongoing shifts in MLB rosters.