Report: Blue Jays Still Interested in Framber Valdez

[Leo Morgenstern]

According to Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Toronto Blue Jays are one of "several teams" interested in free agent left-hander Framber Valdez. 

Valdez, 32, has been one of the most consistent frontline starters in the league over the past six years, with a 3.23 ERA and an MLB-leading 73 wins since 2020. His 973 innings rank fifth among pitchers, while his 20.3 FanGraphs WAR ranks sixth. Without a doubt, Valdez is the top free agent left unsigned.

There is no question that Valdez would make the Blue Jays better. Indeed, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reported earlier this year that the Jays met with the southpaw at the GM Meetings in November, but that was before they signed Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract. They later signed Cody Ponce, creating a logjam in the rotation we've all been talking about ever since. 

Presumably, Toronto's renewed interest in Valdez indicates that his asking price has dropped substantially. With a week to go before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, it's hard to believe he'll still be able to command the five-year, $150 million deal DiamondCentric expected him to sign earlier this winter.

The Blue Jays might not really have room for Valdez, and he clearly wasn't their top priority, but if his price is low enough, Ross Atkins and John Schneider can figure out how to make it work. Valdez may be on the wrong side of 30, and the character concerns are well-founded, but he's also a multi-time All-Star with significant postseason experience. If this front office was willing to give Kyle Tucker a 10-year contract, there is surely a number at which they'd pull the trigger on Valdez. 

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[mphenhef]

I feel like this might be either price enforcing for the Orioles or a report coming from his agent to try to get more.  that being said, I'd be ecstatic to add a lefty of this quality to the rotation.  

[Leo Morgenstern]

3 hours ago, mphenhef said:

I feel like this might be either price enforcing for the Orioles or a report coming from his agent to try to get more.  that being said, I'd be ecstatic to add a lefty of this quality to the rotation.  

I don't disagree. But for what it's worth, all reports have indicated the Blue Jays really have been exploring every avenue to improve this winter. Valdez might be the only player left available who could help separate Toronto from the pack in a competitive AL East. And we know they can afford him.

I don't think they're the frontrunners, but I definitely think their interest could be real. 

[Brownie19]

It feels like one of those situations where he's have to fall into our laps.  Baltimore is rumored to be interested and they've certainly demonstrated the ability to be cheap/dumb f*cks in recent years, so it could happen.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Yes please. Holy crap what a rotation the Jays would have, especially if Bieber is healthy.