Valdez deal not in works yet
HOUSTON — The Astros and Framber Valdez have had no negotiations about a long-term contract extension, Valdez's agent, Ulises Cabrera, said on Tuesday morning.
A report from the Dominican Republic, which cited one anonymous source, suggested Valdez is seeking a deal of at least $150 million and could sign before opening day. Cabrera called the report “absolutely 100 percent made up information.”
“That is 1,000 percent categorically false,” Cabrera said on Tuesday morning. “I haven't even had a conversation with (general manager Dana Brown) with respect to Framber
Valdez. There are no negotiations. Whatever conversations that do exist will not be handled in the press.”
Even if no talks have developed, Valdez remains a logical candidate for a contract extension. He threw more innings than any American League starter last year, one in which he made his first All-star team and finished fifth in Cy Young voting. He threw six innings of one-run ball during the Astros' championship-clinching win in Game 6 of the World Series, too.
“Framber, as of right now, has won two World Series games and won a ring last year,” Cabrera said. “All he knows is Houston. He likes Houston. Whatever conversation
(happens) beyond that is something we'll address if necessary. Until then, there's no use in speculating.”
Valdez and the Astros avoided an arbitration hearing this winter by settling on a $6.8 million salary for 2023. The 29-yearold lefthander is under club control for three more seasons and, this year, should become the ace of Houston's pitching staff.
Valdez had committed to pitch for the Dominican Republic during next month's World Baseball Classic but will skip the event at the recommendation of Houston's front office. Cabrera reiterated on Tuesday that Valdez will be in the Astros clubhouse “from day one” of spring training to prepare himself
for the season.
Brown has made player retention one of his foremost priorities since becoming general manager last month. He signed starter Cristian Javier to a five-year, $64 million extension last week, a day after he spoke candidly about the club's efforts to lock up some of its core.
“I hate to see good players walking out the door,” Brown said last week. “Good players become like family and it's heartbreaking — even for the fans, I know how they feel — it's heartbreaking to watch good players walk out the door. You can bet that at the end of the day, I will be on top of that.”