With spring training fast approaching, the market for left-hander Framber Valdez is starting to heat up-and it looks like the Toronto Blue Jays are one of the teams kicking the tires on the two-time All-Star.
According to reports, Toronto met with Valdez back at the GM meetings in November, before they inked righty Dylan Cease. That early interest hasn’t gone away, but the fit is a little murky now. The Jays have already added Cease and Cody Ponce this offseason, and with a rotation that already features Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, and José Berríos, it’s fair to ask: where exactly would Valdez slot in?
Still, it’s not hard to see why Toronto-and others-would be intrigued. Valdez brings a steady, proven presence to any rotation.
Over eight seasons with the Astros, he’s posted a 3.36 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and a solid 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings. He’s the kind of arm that can eat innings, miss bats, and give you a chance to win every fifth day.
For a team with postseason aspirations, that’s gold.
The Blue Jays aren’t alone in their pursuit. The Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets have also been linked to Valdez this winter. Baltimore already made a splash by trading for Shane Baz and bringing back Zach Eflin, but adding another frontline starter could be the finishing touch on a rotation that’s aiming to carry the O’s deep into October.
As for the Mets, they’ve reshaped their rotation in a big way this offseason, acquiring Freddy Peralta to headline a group that also includes Nolan McLean, David Peterson, Clay Holmes, Sean Manaea, and Kodai Senga. On paper, they look set-but you can never have too much pitching, especially in a division where every game feels like a playoff preview.
Valdez is one of the last remaining high-end starters on the market, and with his track record and playoff experience, he’s bound to draw serious interest as camps open. Whether it’s Toronto, Baltimore, New York, or a surprise suitor, someone’s going to land a durable, battle-tested lefty who knows how to win.