HOUSTON — As the Houston Astros finished the 2025 season with a painful defeat and empty-handedness, fans and experts are turning all their attention to the decision that could change the future of the team: keeping star left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez. According to the latest projections from Bleacher Report, Valdez could soon become the highest-paid pitcher in the MLB winter transfer window, with a whopping 5-year, $135 million contract.
Although the Astros have completely failed to bring the title back to Houston after a season in which they were considered a top contender, their “ace” has never been an exception. Valdez has been a key force in keeping the team in the middle of the park, and now, with his return to free agency after the season, he is MLB’s biggest cash cow.
Valdez has been one of the most consistent performers, leading MLB in ERA and WAR, and was once considered a Cy Young contender. Before his rare “off-base” shot against Seattle Mariners catcher César Salazar made some teams wary, many organizations were planning to bring him back to rebuild their pitching force.
Bleacher Report’s analyst commented: “Many teams may overlook what they consider ‘gray gate’ behavior in the locker room, but they cannot deny Valdez’s elite pitching ability and playoff experience. Adding him to the core five pitching roster would make any organization’s 2026 championship-contending prospects look completely different.”
Houston will have to pay a near-record amount to retain Valdez, according to insiders. The Astros have never been willing to pay an average salary of around $27 million a year. However, if they fail to close the deal, the risk of losing Valdez for free to teams like the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox is “very high,” especially as the pitcher market only gets tighter.
One unnamed executive warned: “Houston has to understand that the pitching market is going to change completely after this deal. If they don’t pay enough — their competitors will.”
31, having played five straight seasons with a winning percentage of over 60 percent and averaging more than 200 innings per season, Valdez is not only a psychological blow to their AL West rivals but also a symbol of the Astros’ ambition to dominate. With a contract expected to be worth $135 million, the next move could determine the trajectory of the entire South Central MLB region for years to come.
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