One thing that’s always true in Major League Baseball: teams in the playoff hunt can never have too much pitching.
The Philadelphia Phillies have a strong rotation on paper, and they’ve been performing well to start the season. Still, it’s inevitable that challenges will arise—whether it’s a dip in performance or injuries—because that’s just how baseball goes.
The Phillies are aware of this and have already tried to bolster their staff by acquiring Jesús Luzardo in the offseason. However, given his injury history, he’s a bit of a gamble.
As the trade deadline approaches, one intriguing option could be Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that Valdez is the third most likely pitcher to be traded at the deadline. He noted, “If the Astros fall out of contention, Valdez would be a top rental target—comparable to Max Fried heading into next offseason.”
The Phillies might explore a deal involving one of their mid-level prospects. Giving up one of their top three prospects likely isn’t on the table, but trading someone ranked between five and ten in the system could be a worthwhile move.
Valdez has consistently delivered in big moments and is off to a strong start this year after an injury setback last season. He currently holds a 2.5 ERA and is positioning himself for a significant payday in free agency next winter.
As a rental, the cost to acquire him shouldn’t be overwhelming—making him a potential fit for the Phillies’ deadline plans.
Be the first to comment