Pirates’ Chances of Signing Framber Valdez: How Real Are They?

Pittsburgh Pirates Eye Framber Valdez: A Bold Play or a Pipe Dream?

This blog post dives into the surprising news that the Pittsburgh Pirates are eyeing star left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez. We’ll look at what makes this potential signing both intriguing and, honestly, a bit of a long shot.

There’s Valdez’s recent performance, the market’s weirdness, some unique connections between him and the Pirates’ staff, and—let’s be real—some serious financial hurdles.

The Valdez Enigma: Why He’s Still Available

Framber Valdez, a two-time All-Star and regular Cy Young contender, is still the top starting pitcher left on the free-agent market. His continued availability has surprised a lot of folks around the league.

It hints at a market that’s way softer than anyone expected for elite pitchers.

Decoding Valdez’s 2025 Performance

In 2025, the 32-year-old southpaw put up a solid 3.66 ERA across 31 starts and threw over 190 innings for the Houston Astros. Four top-11 Cy Young finishes in his career show he’s consistent and durable.

Even with that resume, reports say he’s looking for at least a five-year deal, but teams haven’t exactly rushed to meet those demands. Maybe that opens the door for more creative contract offers.

Pirates’ Play: A Serendipitous Alignment?

The Pirates usually stick to a conservative playbook in free agency. Now, out of nowhere, they’re making a pretty bold move by targeting Valdez.

A few unusual connections and circumstances could actually make Pittsburgh an appealing spot for him.

The Murphy-Valdez Connection

One big thing working for Pittsburgh is pitching coach Bill Murphy. Murphy worked with Valdez in Houston and helped the Astros’ staff post the second-lowest ERA in baseball since 2021.

That existing relationship matters. Murphy can lay out the Pirates’ developmental plans directly to Valdez, which could sway his thinking.

Valdez also knows Pirates manager Don Kelly from their Houston days. That adds a bit more familiarity.

PNC Park: A Pitcher’s Paradise

PNC Park’s dimensions tend to favor left-handed pitchers. That’s a real advantage for someone like Valdez.

A pitcher-friendly environment can help boost confidence and performance. It’s a selling point the Pirates can actually lean on.

Draft Pick Dilemma

Signing Valdez would cost the Pirates their 44th overall pick in July’s draft, since he turned down a qualifying offer. That’s not nothing.

Still, they have two earlier picks, so maybe they’re willing to make that trade for a real difference-maker.

The Obstacles: A Mountain to Climb

There are still some pretty big hurdles here.

Performance Concerns and Character Questions

Valdez’s numbers look good overall, but there are a few red flags. His 46.3% hard-hit rate in 2025 stands out—hitters are squaring him up more often.

He’s also struggled more against right-handed hitters lately. Off the field, a late-season incident where he hit catcher Cesar Salazar and didn’t seem too apologetic could raise some questions about his temperament.

The Financial Chasm

The biggest obstacle is probably the money. ESPN and Spotrac both project a long-term deal for Valdez somewhere between $180 and $200 million.

That’s a huge number and, honestly, way outside the Pirates’ usual comfort zone. Maybe Valdez would consider a short-term deal with an opt-out—something the Pirates might at least discuss—but even then, it’s a massive financial leap for this front office.

A Sea of Competitors

The Pirates aren’t alone in their interest. Teams like the Blue Jays, Mets, Tigers, Padres, Orioles, Giants, and Braves are reportedly in the mix too.

These clubs tend to offer clearer paths to contention. They’ve also got the financial muscle to meet Valdez’s demands, which probably makes them more appealing to a player chasing a championship.
 
Here is the source article for this story: Do the Pirates actually have a chance of signing top-tier starter Framber Valdez?