The Toronto Blue Jays may have missed out on two major free agent targets in Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, but that doesn't mean the front office is closing up shop. In fact, there’s a real chance they’re just shifting gears-and the focus might be on the mound rather than the batter’s box.
According to reports, Toronto met with left-handed ace Framber Valdez during the MLB GM Meetings-before they landed Dylan Cease. That’s a significant detail.
It tells us the Jays are still looking to upgrade an already impressive rotation, and Valdez is no ordinary pitcher. Adding him wouldn’t just be about depth.
It would be about dominance.
Let’s talk about Valdez. Over the last six seasons with the Houston Astros, he’s been one of the most consistent arms in baseball.
We’re talking about a guy with a career 81-52 record, a 3.36 ERA, and a 1.20 WHIP-numbers that speak to both durability and effectiveness. And in an era where complete games are practically extinct, Valdez has managed to throw at least one in each of the past five seasons.
That’s not just old-school toughness-it’s elite-level reliability.
He’s also proven he can get it done when the lights are brightest. Remember the 2022 World Series?
Valdez was lights-out against the Phillies, picking up two wins-including the clinching Game 6. Across those 12 innings, he gave up just two earned runs and struck out 18.
That’s the kind of performance that turns a good team into a champion.
Now, Valdez won’t come cheap. He’s the top starting pitcher still available on the free agent market, and teams know what he brings to the table. But compared to the massive deals handed out to Tucker and Bichette, Valdez could offer tremendous value-especially for a Blue Jays team that’s already invested heavily in its rotation.
Toronto may not have the most intimidating lineup heading into 2026, but if they double down on elite pitching, they could be building a team that wins with power arms instead of power bats. A rotation featuring Cease and Valdez would be a nightmare for opposing hitters and could carry this team deep into October.
The bottom line? The Blue Jays aren’t out of the fight-they might just be changing the way they plan to win it.