The Toronto Blue Jays know they have to address their starting rotation this winter. Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer are now free agents, so there are gaps in the pitching staff. Even with bringing back Shane Bieber via his player option, the rotation is still a major need.
After coming up just one game short in the World Series, Toronto isn’t going to hold back this winter as it pushes to get back to the World Series and ultimately win it. Blue Jays insider Mitch Bannon believes Framber Valdez would be a perfect fit the team.
“On the mound, at least, Valdez appears to check every box the Blue Jays should covet in a top starter this offseason,” Bannon wrote for The Athletic. “He brings the durability Toronto looks for in rotation signings, throws left-handed and doesn’t allow home runs. Valdez is one of baseball’s most durable starting pitchers and a consistent Cy Young candidate. Only five starters have thrown at least 600 innings with an ERA below 3.30 over the last four years: Max Fried, Zack Wheeler, Corbin Burnes, Logan Webb and Valdez.”
Valdez would be a great fit in Toronto to bolster the front of the rotation along with Gausman and Trey Yesavage. He would slot in perfectly between them, so John Schneider and the Blue Jays could break up their top right-handed pitchers. Slotting Bieber in at the No. 4 spot, where he would pitch in his first full season since his injury, makes a lot of sense for the organization.
“Taking the ball lines up with what the Blue Jays have valued in the past,” added Bannon. “The biggest contracts the Jays handed to starting pitchers in recent years (Kevin Gausman, José Berríos and Chris Bassitt) were all awarded to guys with clear durability. … Signing Valdez would also add a left-handed pitcher to Toronto’s rotation mix. Eric Lauer was the only southpaw to make consistent starts for the Jays last year, and he is expected to return to his swingman role in 2026.”
A contract for Valdez will be costly as he is one of the best free agent starting pitchers on the market. Reports have surfaced his contract could be as much as $180 million for the veteran left-hander, although signing him would be worth every penny to an organization that views itself as a World Series contender.
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