Framber Valdez DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez said the team has not approached him or his agent yet about a contract extension, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. Rome adds that it would probably be unwise for Valdez to consider signing any extension the Astros might offer him during spring training. The 31-year-old southpaw is in his final year of club control in 2025 and is scheduled to make $18 million this year. If he hits the open market next winter, which appears likely right now, Valdez should have no shortage of offers from other organizations after serving as Houston's ace the last three years. The Dominican hurler was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023 and had a 2.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 169:55 K:BB in 28 starts in 2024. There's a lot to like about Valdez, but his lower strikeout rate for an ace makes him more of a low-end No. 1 fantasy starter/high-end No. 2 than a high-end fantasy ace.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Houston Astros and starting pitcher Framber Valdez have agreed to a one-year contract worth $18 million to avoid arbitration. The southpaw is expected to be among the top free agents following the 2025 season. Last summer, the 31-year-old posted a 2.91 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP across 176 1/3 innings of work. Valdez has made at least 28 starts over the past three seasons and logged at least 175 innings in each campaign. Last summer, Valdez generated a stellar 61.7% ground-ball rate, which placed him in the 99th percentile among qualified pitchers. He also limited hard contact with an excellent 5.3% barrel rate. Despite his modest strikeout production, Valdez remains one of the safest pitchers in fantasy baseball, given his ability to log a high total of innings each year and produce strong ratios.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez had another strong outing in Friday's 8-0 victory over the Diamondbacks, tossing seven shutout innings, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out seven on the way to picking up his 14th win of the season. The southpaw had a 1.59 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, and a 24.0% K-BB% over five starts in August and looks to have carried that momentum right on into September with his 15th quality start of the year. The 30-year-old now has a 2.97 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.09 WHIP, and a 16.5% K-BB% in 2024. The 2x All-Star gets a favorable matchup his next time out when he faces the Athletics at home next Thursday.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez threw seven innings of a no-hit baseball in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Royals, allowing three walks and a hit batsman while striking out seven, but did not factor into the decision. The lefty was at 98 pitches so he would have gone well over his season-high pitch count had Joe Espada allowed him to stay in the game for the final two innings. Valdez has been great in August, even coming within one out away from a no-hitter earlier this month, posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, and a 24.0% K-BB% over five starts. The 30-year-old has been good overall as well, logging a 13-6 record with a 3.11 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 16.6% K-BB%. His next start will come next weekend at home against the Diamondbacks.

Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez turned in a dominant outing Sunday in the team's 2-0 win over the Chicago White Sox. The left-hander shut out Chicago over seven innings with three hits and nine strikeouts to win his eighth straight decision. Valdez has been red hot and has lowered his ERA to 3.20 on the season with a 1.14 WHIP and a 13-5 record. The 30-year-old is dialed in lately and continues to be an excellent fantasy option.