Framber Valdez Contract Overview:

In 2015, the Houston Astros signed Framber Valdez as an international free agent for a small signing bonus of $10,000. The remarkable thing was he signed at the age of 21 which is older compared to most international signings. Considering the team's past success at signing international players: Jose Altuve, Christian Javier, Yuli Gurriel etc... It isn't a surprise that Framber Valdez has established himself as one of the best southpaws in the league. Since 2020, when he first became a full time starter, he's led all upcoming free agents in this year's class in innings pitched at 859.0 (As of June 4th*), while also accumulating a 3.17 ERA in that timeframe. In 2025, he's recorded a 3.12 ERA while posting a FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 3.24, which is a positive sign. The 31-year old lefty should be one of the most sought after free agents this upcoming offseason.

Despite a lot of positives including his strong durability and appealing numbers over a 6-year sample size, his underlying data suggest his value has hit its peak. Framber's fastball velocity has steadily decreased each year after peaking in 2023 at 95.3 mph. Along with that, hard hit rates off Framber are well below average.

I'm not trying to say that Framber Valdez isn't worth a solid contract in free agency. He's consistently preformed over his peak and has embodied the role the underdog throughout his life as an older international signing on a small signing bonus. He's accomplished more than what most people could say while winning a World Series and being a multiple time All Star. FIP and ERA still suggest he's one of the best pitchers currently even at the age of 31. However, teams will be bidding to sign him to a long term contract as a 32-year old. Teams aren't signing him for his prime years, they're signing up for the ladder half of his career.

Verdict: 5-Years $119.9 Million

AAV- $23.98 Million / Year