According to Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer, the Atlanta Braves are a good fit for what he deems the best trade candidate among the AL West division champions.
This offseason, the Atlanta Braves could look into a few intriguing one-year options for their starting rotation. However, this does not exclude the organization from considering transactions that could improve its pitching staff.
Acquiring Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez could be one way to accomplish this. According to Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer, the Braves are one of three teams who could be interested in Valdez if he becomes available for trade this winter.
Rymer identified Valdez as the Astros’ “most likely” trade candidate before the 2025 season.
“Framber Valdez stands to earn $17.8 million in arbitration next year. It’s not a bad deal for a pitcher of his caliber, but the Astros could do a lot more with that money (e.g., re-sign Alex Bregman or add bullpen components),” Rymer noted.
“There’s also the reality that Houston has relatively good starting pitching. Even without Valdez, they still have Hunter Brown, Spencer Arrighetti, Ronel Blanco, Luis Garcia, and Lance McCullers Jr. coming back from injury.”
In addition to the Braves, Rymer mentioned the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets as potential fits for Valdez.
The left-hander, who turns 31 in November, was named to the American League All-Star squad in both 2022 and 2023. In 2022, he led the AL with 201.1 innings pitched and finished 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA. Valdez also pitched exceptionally effectively in the postseason that year.
Valdez went 2-0 in the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing only two earned runs and striking out 18 batters over 12.1 innings (1.46 ERA). The Astros won the World Series in six games.
However, the Braves defeated Valdez in the 2021 World Series, scoring 10 runs in just 4.2 innings against the left-hander.
While he did not make the All-Star team in 2024, Valdez was undoubtedly better this season than in 2023. He won more games in 2024 and had a lower ERA and WHIP than the previous year.
Valdez would not be inexpensive for the Braves. Rymer said that he may cost around $18 million for the 2025 season. However, he would be a fantastic substitute for left-hander Max Fried if he leaves in free agency.
The Braves may also need to replace Charlie Morton, who could retire this winter. Morton earned $20 million on a one-year contract for the 2024 season, thus acquiring Valdez to replace Morton might reduce, not increase, the Braves’ salary.
