Blue Jays could pivot to adding another top-of-the-line starter

"However, that free agent target doesn't have to be a positional player as in Cody Bellinger or Eugenio Suárez. According to Ben-Nicholson Smith of Sportsnet, Toronto had actually met with top pitching free agent Framber Valdez at the MLB GM Meetings prior to signing Dylan Cease. The Blue Jays may appear to be already set with their rotation for 2026, but who says that they can't make their starting five from being one of the best to the absolute best in all of baseball."

"Valdez has been one of the most consistent starters in the majors over the past six seasons with the Houston Astros. The 32-year-old left-hander finished in the top 10 in AL Cy Young voting three times, while becoming an All-Star on two other occasions during that stretch. More importantly, with a career 81-52 record, a solid 3.36 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, as well as being one of the rare MLB pitchers to have registered at least one complete game in each of the past five years,"

Blue Jays missed out on free agents Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette but still have opportunity to add a top-line player from the free-agent market. Toronto met in person with Framber Valdez at the MLB GM Meetings prior to signing Dylan Cease. Valdez is a 32-year-old left-hander who has delivered six consistent major-league seasons with the Astros, including three top-10 AL Cy Young finishes and two All-Star selections. Valdez owns a career 81-52 record with a 3.36 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, has recorded at least one complete game each of the past five years, and produced key World Series starts in 2022.

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