In an unexpected move, the Astros give Framber Valdez $18 million before to the contract season.
With starting pitcher Framber Valdez, the Houston Astros have managed to escape arbitration. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on Thursday that Valdez and the Astros reached an agreement on a one-year, $18 million contract. The entire amount of $18,800,000 is guaranteed.
This is the latest in Valdez’s lengthy history of yearly contracts. He has previously inked multiple one-year contracts with the Astros. This one guarantees that he will return to the field for the 2025 season, but he will thereafter be free to sign with any team he wants.
Valdez has finished an incredible season with Houston. With a 2.91 ERA (6th in the AL) and a 1.11 WHIP (16th), he ended the season 15-7. In 176 1/3 innings pitched, the southpaw struck out 169 hitters. That is even though Valdez missed time early in the season due to elbow problems.
Many thought Valdez may be traded by the Astros this summer. The
In the end, Tucker was transferred by the Astros to the Chicago Cubs in a historic transaction.
Houston is hoping to win the American League West for the seventh time in a row going into the 2025 MLB season. The signing of their top pitcher significantly increased the likelihood that it would occur.
In 2022 and 2023, Framber Valdez was named to the All-Star team. At 25, he set an MLB record for the most straight quality starts in a single season during the previous year. He finished sixth in the Cy Young voting and received his first All-Star selection that year due to his complete dominance.Last month, Chandler Rome of Athletic claimed that Houston was considering trading Valdez or Kyle Tucker, an outfielder.
However, the Astros were hesitant to sign the veteran on a long-term basis due to his advanced age and injury concerns.
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