As MLB’s winter meetings approach, anticipation is building around the league for major moves expected to unfold before Christmas. The New York Mets are widely viewed as one of the teams poised to be highly active in both free agency and the trade market. Their early offseason activity—highlighted by the signing of Devin Williams and the trade that brought in Marcus Semien—signals that they intend to be aggressive.
Yet, despite these early additions, the Mets’ offseason work is far from complete. New York still needs at least one or two more starting pitchers, along with an outfielder to round out the lineup. On top of that, crucial long-term decisions loom involving cornerstone first baseman Pete Alonso and star closer Edwin Díaz. With so many questions still on the table, a recent report suggests the team should pursue one of the biggest pitching prizes available.
In his “Winter Meetings Wish List,” MLB insider Jim Bowden pushes the Mets to make a massive statement by pursuing former Astros ace Framber Valdez on a long-term contract. Bowden proposes a bold offer:
“Framber Valdez to the New York Mets for 7 years, $218 million”
Bowden argues that Valdez is precisely the workhorse and elite talent New York needs to anchor its rotation, adding:
“The Mets need an ace at the top of the rotation and Valdez can be just that. His high ground-ball rate and ability to miss bats, combined with his ability to pitch in big games, bode well for him pitching in Queens.”
This aligns with the broader expectation surrounding the Mets this winter—that the front office, led by Steve Cohen and David Stearns, intends to spare no expense after falling short of the 2025 postseason. The franchise is determined to restore confidence among fans, and targeting one of the best pitchers on the market would certainly qualify as a major step forward.
Should New York land Valdez, he would instantly become the team’s No. 1 starter. At the moment, Clay Holmes and David Peterson headline the rotation, but neither profiles as the dominant ace the Mets need. While there was some brief hesitation from teams following a September altercation involving Valdez and an Astros catcher, that concern appears to have faded. League executives now largely view him as a premier arm whose value remains extremely high.
What Would Framber Valdez Bring to the Mets?
Valdez has cemented himself as one of the most durable and reliable starters in baseball. The left-hander is a two-time All-Star and has logged four straight seasons of at least 28 starts and 175 innings. His 2025 campaign was another strong showing—he delivered a 3.66 ERA over 192 innings, tallied 187 strikeouts, and allowed just 0.7 home runs per nine innings, one of the best marks in MLB.
Across eight seasons with the Houston Astros, Valdez built a résumé that includes a 2022 World Series championship and a reputation as one of the game’s premier ground-ball pitchers. Now hitting free agency for the first time, he is expected to attract significant attention. BaseballReference.com projects him to record a 3.57 ERA across 174 innings in 2026, further illustrating his consistency.
With the winter meetings beginning and teams preparing to negotiate aggressively, Valdez’s market could heat up quickly. All eyes will be on how much interest he draws—and whether the New York Mets decide to take the plunge on the $218 million investment recommended by Bowden.