It's unsurprising to hear opposing clubs are keeping their eye on Valdez. He'd be an upgrade for any rotation in MLB. He has reached 31 starts in each of the past two seasons, leading the American League with 201 1/3 innings back in 2022. Valdez has paired that volume with excellent results, working to a 3.40 ERA over parts of six seasons in the big leagues. He has allowed 3.13 earned runs per nine over the past three years, striking out 23.5% of batters faced and keeping the ball on the ground at a massive 63% clip.
The club could take a similar stance on Valdez. He's arguably the best pitcher on a team with championship aspirations. Houston's rotation is solid but has taken some injury hits in recent months. Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are each expected to miss roughly half the season as they rehab arm surgeries. The Astros reacquired Justin Verlander to join Valdez and Cristian Javier in the rotation's top three. José Urquidy joins second-year pitchers Hunter Brown and J.P. Franceas possibilities at the back end.
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