Houston Astros ace left-hander possibly available in trade talks
The Boston Red Sox haven’t added any starting pitching this offseason despite chief baseball officer Craig Breslow telling fans and media that’s his focus.
With Yoshinobu Yamamoto the most sought after free agent, Boston will likely need to get involved in a bidding war for the righty. Which is another conversation for another time.
While keeping their attention on Yamamoto, the Red Sox could turn to the trade market and look at landing one of the games top tier starters.
The Houston Astros have considered moving left-hander Framber Valdez, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
"Executives from two clubs indicated this week that their teams are monitoring the possibility of the Astros trading left-hander Framber Valdez," Rosenthal wrote Friday.
"For a variety of reasons, such a move could make sense. The Astros’ luxury-tax payroll, according to Fangraphs, currently stands at $237.4 million, slightly above the first threshold. Under owner Jim Crane, the team has exceeded the threshold only once, in the shortened 2020 season, when it turned out penalties were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Valdez, 30, is projected to earn $12.1 million in arbitration and become a free agent after the 2025 season. Trading him could provide a boost to the Astros’ farm system, which Baseball America ranked 27th in its midseason organization rankings. Perhaps the Astros could acquire help for their major-league bullpen, too."
Valdez posted a 3.45 ERA last season, while striking out 200 batters to just 57 walks. The southpaw finished ninth in American League Cy Young voting this season.
As of this writing, the Red Sox have only added one player on a major-league contract, right-hander Cooper Criswell, on a one-year, $1 million deal.
Moving Valdez, would help give the Astros payroll flexibility to a team that will need to hand out extensions to other players on the roster. MLB Trade Rumors projects Valdez to earn $12.1 million in arbitration.
Boston and Houston held conversations at the trade deadline that would have sent outfielder Alex Verdugo to Space City. Verdugo is no longer a trade tip for the Red Sox after dealing him to the Bronx, but the two sides are familiar with what they’re looking for in the terms of compensation for players on under their respective control.
Valdez would net the Astros a strong return in a trade this winter. Boston will need to part with top prospects. Top catching prospect Kyle Teel is reportedly off limits but short stop Marcelo Mayer could be available for starting pitching. The 30-year-old has thrown 793 career innings and could command a contract similar to Tyler Glasnow. The new Dodgers’ ace just signed a five-year, $135 million pact following his trade from the Rays.
Boston should be interested in Valdez, but they’re not the only team with prospects to deal in an effort to improve their rotation. The Orioles, Reds, Cubs and Giants all could be suitors for the lefty. At some point the Red Sox will make a move, but more and more arms are coming off the board and options will be getting more expensive.
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