Mets, Giants Held November Meetings With Framber Valdez

The market for frontline pitching is starting to take shape this offseason. One of the most interesting names in play is left-hander Framber Valdez.

The Baltimore Orioles have been the only team to publicly link themselves to him so far. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets are quietly circling, weighing whether the cost and term for a top starter in his 30s are worth it for a rotation anchor.

Framber Valdez: A High-End Arm in a Tight Pitching Market

Framber Valdez comes into free agency as one of the top arms available. He’s ranked sixth on MLB Trade Rumors’ top 50 free agents list.

He’s projected to land a five-year, $150 million contract. That’s the price tag of a true No. 2 starter with flashes of ace-level performance, and it’s definitely shaping which clubs can stay in the chase.

Valdez is 32 now, so he’s not in the classic “prime” age range. Still, his recent workload and track record tell a different story than the calendar might suggest.

Teams willing to look past his age see a durable, postseason-tested workhorse who can steady the top half of a rotation from Day 1.

The Durability and Profile That Teams Covet

Valdez has thrown nearly 768 innings over the last four seasons. That’s a rare number these days, especially in an era of five-and-fly starts and bullpen games.

He’s not just eating innings, either—those frames come with quality, consistency, and plenty of high-leverage experience in October.

His calling card is a heavy sinker that produces elite groundball rates. That keeps the ball in the park and lets teams with strong infield defenses get the most out of him.

For clubs like the Giants and Mets, that mix of reliability, groundballs, and playoff experience is exactly what they missed last year.

San Francisco Giants: Balancing Risk, Term, and Fit

The Giants met with Valdez’s representatives at the GM Meetings, showing real interest. But their organizational philosophy complicates things.

San Francisco almost always prefers shorter-term pitching deals, especially for pitchers over 30. That makes a five-year deal for Valdez a tough internal sell.

Still, his skill set fits with what they’ve built defensively. The Giants have invested in an infield led by Matt Chapman and Willy Adames, two strong defenders who could turn Valdez’s groundball-heavy approach into a lot of outs.

A Rotation Behind Logan Webb in Flux

Beyond staff ace Logan Webb, San Francisco’s rotation is unsettled. Robbie Ray and Landen Roupp currently project as the next two options, but Ray is under team control only through 2026 and is working back from a serious injury.

Roupp hasn’t shown yet that he can handle a full-season starter’s workload in the majors. The Giants also have a cluster of young arms vying for rotation spots, which is both a blessing and a risk.

A veteran like Valdez could stabilize things, providing 180+ innings and letting the young guys battle for the back-end roles. The real question in San Francisco’s front office is whether that stability is worth the long-term financial commitment, which probably runs counter to their usual pitching strategy.

New York Mets: Caution Meets Urgency

The Mets share some of the Giants’ hesitation about long pitching contracts, especially after recent big-ticket deals blew up when injuries and underperformance hit. But last season’s rotation collapse has created a different kind of pressure in Queens.

President of baseball operations David Stearns and owner Steve Cohen have made it clear they’re determined to avoid a repeat of that disaster. For a club with postseason ambitions and a fan base expecting aggressive moves, standing pat with question marks atop the rotation just isn’t an option.

Valdez Among Several High-End Options for Opening Day

New York has cast a wide net, with Valdez in a group of top free agents and trade targets under consideration to lead the staff. The Mets aren’t locked in exclusively on him, but he checks several boxes:

If the Mets decide the rotation needs a veteran anchor more than they need long-term flexibility, Valdez could move up their priority list as Opening Day gets closer.

Will Anyone Meet Valdez’s Price?

The Orioles have been linked to Valdez, while the Giants and Mets seem to be hanging around behind the scenes. His expected five-year, $150 million contract might chase off teams that only want short-term pitching deals.

Still, Valdez offers durability, a knack for groundballs, and real postseason experience. That’s a rare mix, especially with so few reliable pitchers out there right now.

For contenders like San Francisco and New York, the offseason brings a tough call. Is paying big money and years for a 32-year-old workhorse worth it for the steadiness he brings?

That answer could decide where Framber Valdez stands on Opening Day. It’s not a simple choice, no matter how you slice it.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mets, Giants Met With Framber Valdez In November