Overview
- Houston tendered a $22.025 million qualifying offer to the left-hander for 2026.
- He must decide by Nov. 18, and rejecting it would position him to seek a long-term deal.
- If he signs elsewhere, Houston will receive a 2026 compensatory draft pick, with placement tied to the club’s finalized competitive-balance-tax status in December.
- Market projections range from six years and $168 million (ESPN) to seven years and $196 million (The Athletic).
- Valdez has said he wants to remain in Houston, yet re-signing at those levels would require the Astros to exceed their past $85 million guarantee to a starter.