Overview
- Valdez remains a free agent after a strong 2025, drawing interest but no agreement to date.
- MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports the Mets could pursue Valdez if he accepts a short-term deal with opt-outs.
- New York’s recent trade for Freddy Peralta reduced urgency for another frontline starter but did not eliminate the possibility, per Feinsand.
- Steve Phillips predicted Baltimore as a likely landing spot, citing Mike Elias’s past Houston connection with Valdez.
- The lefty logged more than 190 innings with a 3.66 ERA last season for the Astros, but his push for long-term money has met caution from teams.