Houston — In a disappointing season that saw the Astros fall out of the playoff race for the first time since 2016, there was a gentle yet powerful statement from the star: “I really want to continue wearing an Astros jersey.” Framber Valdez, who is about to enter free agency, expressed his desire to stay with the team that gave him the opportunity to enter the World of Professional Football.
Before the final game of the season, Valdez shared through an interpreter:
“I really want to continue wearing an Astros jersey. They are the team that gave me the opportunity to become a professional player, gave me the opportunity to play in the World Series. We just have to see what the future brings me.”
The comment was more than just sentiment — it raised a host of questions for Houston’s leadership: Will they pay the price to keep an icon who is approaching his 32nd birthday? Will they risk a dip in performance in the second half of the season?
Valdez is respected not only for his on-field ability but also for his work ethic — longtime teammates have praised him as having the best work ethic on the team.
But despite that sentiment, analysts are predicting the Astros could give him up to avoid a major contract war.
This season’s stats: Valdez finished with 13 wins, 11 losses and a 3.66 ERA in 31 appearances — still one of the brightest prospects in the free-agent market.
However, the second half of the season did not favor him: his performance dropped (higher ERA, more chance of falling), and then there was the “missed catcher” scandal — when Valdez hit a sinker into Cesar Salazar’s chest, after a grand slam that Salazar had wanted him to “step off” before throwing. Both later insisted it was not intentional.
Manager Joe Espada has publicly said he wants to “put the past behind” and move on.
In addition, the Astros face a personnel issue as Luis Garcia will miss the entire 2026 season due to an elbow injury, thinning Houston’s pitching lineup.
This makes keeping Valdez — or losing him — more important than ever.
Houston’s leadership, especially GM Dana Brown, said they will take a “comprehensive look” at the team next season — from the coaching staff, to the development department, to the player acquisition strategy. Houston Chronicle
However, there is no clear indication that they have actively approached Valdez about an extension.
Some baseball insiders have suggested that the Astros may be willing to let Valdez go to another team, to avoid “being overpaid by the other team” — a trend that Houston has used in the past.
If Valdez leaves, Houston will lose not only a key pitcher but also an icon: from a cheap starting contract, he has become a pillar and has contributed many important moments to the franchise’s history.
Framber Valdez has taken off the gloves — or rather, put his future decision between his two hands. He wants to stay in Houston, but he can’t force his heart to rule.
With the Astros facing a rebuilding day, the team can keep him as a cornerstone — or let him go and reinvest in a younger, cheaper core. The coming winter will be a never-ending battle of wits: will Valdez stick with his baseball homeland, or take on a new adventure with another team?
And then the memories of Valdez throwing seven innings without a strikeout, or those nights fighting for 1,000 strikeouts — will be nothing more than legends, if not continued.
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