He has recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons, from his viral “cross-up” moment with catcher Yainer Diaz to a stretch of disappointing outings on the mound.
With free agency looming at the end of this season and a hefty price tag attached to his name, his time in Houston could be running out.
Over the past five years, Valdez has been one of baseball’s most consistent starters, carrying a career 3.32 ERA and avoiding major injuries.
But he turns 32 this offseason, and Spotrac projects his market value at over $200 million. With Hunter Brown emerging as Houston’s ace of the future and solid rotation depth behind him, it seems unlikely the Astros would invest such a massive deal in Valdez as he enters his mid-30s.
Adding to the uncertainty, Valdez has shown signs of friction with teammates—highlighted by the viral mix-up—and has stumbled recently, going 1-5 with a 5.95 ERA in his last seven starts despite an otherwise strong season.
Spotrac estimates he’ll seek a contract of at least four years at more than $37 million annually, with the possibility of pushing for longer terms. This winter could be the prime moment for his camp to cash in before his value inevitably declines with age.
Valdez Still a Major Player in Houston’s Postseason Hopes
As of September 8, the Astros sit atop the AL West with a 78-66 record, holding a 2.5-game lead over Seattle and a four-game cushion over Texas. Still, any major skid could jeopardize their postseason hopes, especially if they fall into the Wild Card race, where both the Yankees and Red Sox currently have stronger records.
That makes Framber Valdez’s best form crucial—not only to help Houston secure a playoff spot but also to give them a chance to compete deep into October.
Statistically, Valdez’s season has been solid. He’s 12-9 with a 3.42 ERA across 176 innings and is on pace to surpass 200 innings for just the second time in his career—or come close to it.
His playoff résumé is mixed. In 2020 and 2022, he shined with records of 3-0 and 3-1 and ERAs of 1.88 and 1.44, respectively. However, his last two postseason showings have been shaky, including a 9.00 ERA over three starts in 2023 and a rough outing last year, where he surrendered three runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings.
Whether his recent struggles stem from fatigue after a long season or from frustration within the clubhouse, Valdez will need to rebound quickly if the Astros hope to finish strong.
Big Matchups Set For Houston to End Regular Season
Beginning on Sept. 9, the Astros face the AL-leading Blue Jays in a three-game series before heading to Atlanta.
From there, their last 12 contests will all come against AL West rivals, starting with six at home against Seattle and Texas, the two closest challengers.
As of Sept. 8, Houston holds a 77.4% chance of reaching the postseason, though the Mariners are favored to win the division at 53.6%.
The Astros still have their fate in their own hands—it’s now a matter of proving whether they can finish strong.
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