Framber Valdez to Mets?: Making sense of the noise | amNewYork

"Amongst the Mets' lengthy to-do list this winter is to address a starting rotation that needs a significant overhaul after last season's collapse. So anything linking former Houston Astros ace and free agent Framber Valdez to Queens would be understandable. According to MLB insider Hector Gomez, the Mets are trying to get a six-year, $200 million deal over the finish line for the veteran right-hander, who is coming off a down year in which he went 13-11 with a 3.66 ERA."

"Of course, there are significant wrinkles in all of this. Gomez's reporting has been spotty in the past, including a story last winter that the Mets pulled off a trade for Texas Rangers slugging outfielder Adolis Garcia. That, obviously, never happened. His report also suggests the complete opposite of what was previously known about David Stearns' interest in Valdez. They reportedly did not entertain any conversations with his representation during the MLB GM meetings earlier in November."

"Valdez has built a reputation for having a temper, highlighted by a controversy over the summer in which he intentionally threw his catcher off base after giving up a home run. Following a recent New York Post report about a tense Mets clubhouse that included another blow-up between Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil, along with the star shortstop also having an icy relationship with generational outfielder Juan Soto, the last thing Stearns needs is to bring in another potential agitator."

Mets pursue a six-year, $200 million contract for Framber Valdez to overhaul a starting rotation that collapsed last season. Valdez went 13-11 with a 3.66 ERA last year but posted a 3.08 ERA and a 1.153 WHIP across the previous four seasons, projecting as a strong No. 2 behind Nolan McLean. Conflicting accounts exist about whether Mets executives met with Valdez’s representatives at GM meetings. Valdez has a history of temper incidents, including throwing his catcher off the base after a home run. Adding him risks clubhouse friction and a significant financial commitment.

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