Could Framber Valdez be traded in 2025?
Houston should exercise caution in triggering alarm alerts during this current situation. Maybe. The Astros struggle to stay competitive in the first ten games while multiple concerns begin to form with the main question focusing on whether ace pitcher Framber Valdez will be traded.
Houston finds itself already trailing the surging Los Angeles Angels and their revitalized superstar Mike Trout. A 2.5-game deficit isn’t insurmountable, but it’s far from ideal for a team with postseason expectations.
Still, even with the slow start, longtime Astros beat writer Brian McTaggart doesn’t buy into the growing whispers of a Valdez trade—at least, not yet.
In a recent fan Q&A, one reader asked whether Houston would consider dealing the 31-year-old southpaw if they remained in contention for the AL West. McTaggart’s response was clear: unless things completely fall apart, the Astros aren’t planning to wave the white flag.
“The organization believes it’s still very much in the playoff hunt,” McTaggart explained, “and they’ll need Valdez performing at a high level to make that happen.”
Valdez has been a steady presence on the mound over the past few seasons. In his first two starts of 2025, he’s 1-1 with five earned runs and a solid 13-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 12 innings. Since 2021, he’s racked up a 55-30 record, a 3.08 ERA, and a 13.5 bWAR, establishing himself as one of the American League’s most reliable arms.
But pitching alone won’t fix Houston’s woes. The Astros offense has been ice cold, ranking near the bottom of the league in batting average and runs scored. Through Tuesday, they held a team average of just .202 and had crossed the plate only 30 times—second-worst in MLB.
The front office is clearly experimenting. In surprising offseason moves, Houston traded outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs and repositioned franchise icon Jose Altuve to left field. The changes have done little to spark life in the lineup so far.
Even with the uncertain outlook, McTaggart remains convinced that trading Valdez mid-season would send the wrong message to the locker room and fanbase alike.
“Moving Valdez while still in the race would be the equivalent of surrendering,” he noted.
Of course, if Houston falls into a deeper hole by July, the calculus might shift. Valdez is set to become a free agent after this season, and his combination of experience and playoff poise could make him a hot commodity for teams in need of starting pitching.
For now, though, the Astros are holding firm—betting that their ace can help turn the tide before the season slips away.
