The Pittsburgh Pirates are making another push - and this time, they’re swinging for one of the last big names on the free-agent board: left-hander Framber Valdez.
After a frustrating offseason of near-misses in the hunt for offensive firepower, the Pirates have shifted gears. According to sources familiar with the situation, they’ve emerged as one of the most aggressive teams pursuing Valdez, a 32-year-old southpaw with a proven track record and postseason pedigree.
What makes this pursuit especially intriguing is how well Valdez would fit into what’s already shaping up to be the Pirates’ biggest strength: their starting rotation. With National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes leading the charge, adding Valdez would give Pittsburgh a formidable one-two punch - the kind of top-end duo that can change the trajectory of a season.
There’s also a strong personal connection in play. Bill Murphy, the Pirates’ newly hired pitching coach, knows Valdez as well as anyone in baseball.
Murphy worked closely with him during their shared time in Houston, both in the minors and at the big-league level. That familiarity could help Pittsburgh’s pitch - pun intended - stand out in a crowded field.
Still, there’s a very real chance the Pirates end up as a stalking horse in this race - a team that helps set the market but doesn’t ultimately land the player. Valdez is expected to command a short-term deal with opt-outs, the kind of contract that more aggressive contenders often hand out to win-now arms.
The Orioles have been in the mix for Valdez all offseason. The Braves and Padres are also in the market for starting pitching, and the Blue Jays could jump in if the price drops to a more comfortable level.
Among those suitors, Atlanta would pay the steepest price in draft capital - giving up the 26th overall pick due to Valdez rejecting a qualifying offer. The Pirates, on the other hand, would forfeit the 44th pick, and given their current rotation ambitions, they’d likely consider that a worthy cost.
It’s not as if Pittsburgh is ignoring their offensive needs, either. They’re still searching for a bat, and sources say designated hitter Marcell Ozuna is now on their radar.
But so far, it’s been a string of close calls. From Kyle Schwarber to Eugenio Suárez, the Pirates have been in the mix but unable to close.
Their lone notable offensive signing to date is Ryan O’Hearn, brought in on a two-year, $29 million deal to provide some left-handed pop and positional flexibility at first base and in the outfield.
To make room for upgrades, Pittsburgh has already shuffled the deck. They traded away starters Johan Oviedo and Mike Burrows earlier this offseason, bringing back outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia and second baseman Brandon Lowe in separate deals. If Valdez signs, he’d slot into a rotation that’s shaping up to include Skenes, Mitch Keller, and two promising young arms in Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler.
Valdez’s potential addition could be a game-changer - not just for what he brings on the mound, but for the message it sends. The Pirates are trying to build something sustainable, and adding a veteran with postseason experience and a long-standing relationship with their pitching coach would be a clear sign that they’re serious about taking the next step.
Murphy joined the Astros organization in 2016, the same year Valdez made his U.S. debut after signing out of the Dominican Republic. Their shared history could be a key factor in making Pittsburgh a realistic landing spot.
The Pirates have been patient this offseason. Now, they’re hoping that patience pays off - and that Framber Valdez might be the piece that brings it all together.