Why Framber Valdez and the Mets Just Don’t Add Up
Every offseason brings its share of speculative pairings-some make sense, others are more wishful thinking than reality. Mets fans have seen this movie before.
Not too long ago, Trent Grisham was the name being floated as a “perfect fit” in Queens. That never made much sense, especially for a front office that’s been clear-eyed about avoiding declining defensive players, particularly ones coming off career outliers.
Now, with that chapter closed, it seems the spotlight has shifted to another unlikely candidate: Framber Valdez.
Let’s get one thing straight-Valdez is a talented lefty, no doubt. But the idea of him landing in New York, specifically in a Mets uniform, is a stretch for several reasons that go beyond just dollars and cents.
The Mets’ Offseason Blueprint Tells the Story
To understand why Valdez isn’t a fit, you need to look at the pattern David Stearns has established this winter. The Mets have been deliberate-some might say surgical-in how they’re building this roster.
They moved on from Brandon Nimmo and opted for Marcus Semien, choosing a shorter-term, higher AAV deal. That’s not just a one-off decision; it’s a signal.
Then came the Edwin Díaz saga. The All-Star closer ended up with the Dodgers on a three-year deal.
Reports suggest both L.A. and New York offered the same length, despite Díaz initially seeking five years. Could the Mets have gone to four or five and sealed the deal?
Probably. But they didn’t.
That’s telling.
And then there’s Pete Alonso. A five-year deal with Baltimore sealed his exit, and the Mets never even made a formal offer.
That’s not a front office dragging its feet-it’s a front office with a clear line in the sand. Once it became clear Alonso would get the long-term commitment he wanted, the Mets pivoted quickly, bringing in Jorge Polanco on a two-year deal instead.
The message? Flexibility is king.
Stearns isn’t handing out long-term deals lightly, especially not for pitchers. And that’s where Valdez runs into trouble.
Valdez: Talent with Baggage
On paper, Valdez checks a lot of boxes. Durable lefty starter, postseason experience, capable of shutting down elite lineups when he’s locked in. But dig a little deeper, and the fit with New York starts to unravel.
Start with the temperament. New York is a different animal-it’s not just about what you do between the lines, it’s how you handle everything around it. Valdez had a few moments last season that raise red flags for a big-market team looking for stability.
The most notable came after giving up a grand slam to-yes-Trent Grisham. Valdez had a visible miscommunication with his catcher, a “cross-up” that led to some postgame friction.
In Houston, that might blow over. In New York?
That’s back-page material for a week.
Then came July, when Valdez publicly questioned the Astros’ defensive alignment after a loss to the Nationals. His comments weren’t just frustration-they were pointed critiques of the coaching staff.
“I don’t have to ask the coaches about that,” he said. “Baseball is a game of common sense.”
That’s not the kind of quote that plays well in a clubhouse, let alone a media market like New York.
And when the Astros needed him most down the stretch, Valdez didn’t rise to the occasion. He posted a 5.20 ERA in the second half, struggling to provide the kind of consistency a team like the Mets would need from a rotation anchor.
This team isn’t just looking for arms-they’re looking for guys who can steady the ship when things start to tilt. That wasn’t Valdez last season.
The Mets Have Other Plans
If the Mets are going to spend big on a starter, it’s not likely to be Valdez. The front office seems far more interested in exploring the trade market, with names like Freddy Peralta and Joe Ryan reportedly on the radar. Both are younger, under team control, and fit the mold of what Stearns is trying to build: a flexible, sustainable contender.
Even if they do pivot to free agency, someone like Michael King makes more sense. He’s proven he can pitch in New York, and his contract demands are expected to fall within the Mets’ preferred range-three to four years, not six or more like Valdez might seek.
Bottom Line
Framber Valdez is a quality pitcher, but this simply isn’t the right fit. The Mets are operating with intention this offseason, and everything about their approach-from contract lengths to clubhouse chemistry-suggests Valdez isn’t in the plans.
So while the rumor mill keeps churning, it’s time to stop forcing a connection that doesn’t exist. The Mets have made their priorities clear, and Framber Valdez just doesn’t check enough of the right boxes.