The calendar flips to February on Sunday, meaning that the Spring Training countdown will enter single-digit days. Yet several free agents remain unsigned, none bigger than Framber Valdez, who was among the top four arms on the market when the offseason began.
Dylan Cease (Blue Jays), Ranger Suárez (Red Sox) and Michael King (Padres) have all landed deals, while Valdez leads a group of starting pitchers including Zac Gallen, Lucas Giolito and Chris Bassitt that is still looking for contracts.
Valdez has a track record as a workhorse, so even though he faded down the stretch last season, he still managed to top the 190-innings mark for the third time in four seasons, posting a 3.66 ERA over 31 starts.
The 32-year-old has been reportedly seeking a deal of at least five years, though as we’ve seen with other free agents including King, Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, he could pivot and look for a shorter-term contract with a higher average annual value and opt-out clauses, giving him a shot to test the market again in a year or two without a qualifying offer attached.
A number of teams are still in need of starting pitching, leaving plenty of potential suitors for Valdez. Here’s a look at seven such clubs and where Valdez might fit into their future plans.
Orioles
Current rotation options: RHP Kyle Bradish, LHP Trevor Rogers, RHP Shane Baz, RHP Zach Eflin, RHP Dean Kremer, RHP Tyler Wells, LHP Cade Povich, RHP Brandon Young
Baltimore has been the consensus pick to land Valdez since the offseason began, since the Orioles never replaced Corbin Burnes atop the rotation after he left a year ago. It’s been a busy winter for the O’s, who have added Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, Baz and Ryan Helsley among others, but Valdez would be the finishing touch in Baltimore’s quest to return to the postseason. President of baseball operations Mike Elias was the Astros’ scouting director when Valdez signed with Houston in 2015, so he is already quite familiar with the left-hander.
Mets
Current rotation options: RHP Freddy Peralta, RHP Nolan McLean, LHP Sean Manaea, RHP Clay Holmes, LHP David Peterson, RHP Kodai Senga, RHP Jonah Tong
The Mets have also been closely connected to Valdez all offseason, though their recent trade for Peralta has lessened their need for a frontline starter. Still, given McLean’s inexperience and the fact that Holmes is only in his second season as a starter, New York could look to add another proven arm to the rotation. President of baseball operations David Stearns has never been one to give long-term deals to starting pitchers, but if Valdez becomes open to a short-term deal with opt-outs, he could become an appealing option for the Mets.
Tigers
Current rotation options: LHP Tarik Skubal, RHP Jack Flaherty, RHP Casey Mize, RHP Reese Olson, RHP Drew Anderson, RHP Troy Melton
It’s difficult to imagine the Tigers making any big moves before Skubal’s arbitration hearing, which will determine whether Detroit pays the two-time Cy Young Award winner either $19 million or $32 million in 2026. If the club wins the hearing, it could mean the ability to spend on another arm, and with Skubal heading to free agency next winter, the addition of Valdez would help in the ensuing seasons if Skubal departs. The American League Central is a winnable division, and the addition of Valdez would help Detroit in its effort to return to the postseason for a third consecutive year.
Padres
Current rotation options: RHP Michael King, RHP Nick Pivetta, RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Randy Vásquez, LHP J.P. Sears, LHP Kyle Hart, RHP Matt Waldron
The top of San Diego’s rotation is righty-heavy, making Valdez a good fit for the Padres. Whether San Diego can afford Valdez is another matter, though few executives are as creative as A.J. Preller, who could move another salary -- Pivetta or Jake Cronenworth, perhaps? -- if he is intent on adding Valdez. Yu Darvish is contemplating retirement, which could open up some payroll for the Padres if he walks away from the remainder of his contract.
Blue Jays
Current rotation options: RHP Dylan Cease, RHP Kevin Gausman, RHP Shane Bieber, RHP Trey Yesavage, RHP Cody Ponce, RHP José Berríos
Toronto clearly has money to spend, evidenced by its serious bid for Kyle Tucker. Whether the Blue Jays want to spend it on a pitcher remains to be seen, but with their current all-right-handed rotation, bringing in a proven left-hander could be appealing. Also of note: Gausman and Bieber are slated to become free agents next winter, so signing Valdez would help stabilize the rotation for 2027 and beyond.
Giants
Current rotation options: RHP Logan Webb, LHP Robbie Ray, RHP Adrian Houser, RHP Tyler Mahle, LHP Carson Whisenhunt, RHP Landon Roupp
The Giants signed Mahle and Houser to bolster the rotation behind Webb and Ray, though the addition of Valdez would give San Francisco one of the best 1-2-3 combos in MLB. The Giants have been reluctant to sign any starting pitchers to long-term deals in recent years, though Valdez could be a fit if he becomes willing to accept a shorter-term deal with opt-outs.
Braves
Current rotation options: LHP Chris Sale, RHP Spencer Strider, RHP Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP Reynaldo López, RHP Grant Holmes, RHP Bryce Elder, LHP Joey Wentz, RHP Hurston Waldrep, LHP Martín Pérez
López is returning from right shoulder surgery (and might make more sense in the bullpen regardless), and there are some questions about Holmes’ right elbow, but the Braves have options in Waldrep, Elder, Wentz and Pérez, who signed a Minor League deal on Friday. What Atlanta doesn’t have is a proven workhorse who can provide 190 innings the way Valdez has in three of the past four seasons. Not a single Braves pitcher reached 160 innings last season, requiring the club to use 19 starters (including openers) in 2025. In fact, the Braves haven’t had a pitcher throw 180 innings since Strider tossed 186 2/3 in 2023.