This offseason was supposed to be different for the Atlanta Braves.
Especially compared to a year ago, the Braves not only had to fill their needs, but they also had to be aggressive in filling them. This isn’t just based on how disappointing the year 2025 was in general. It is based on four consecutive years of increasingly disappointing results, along with growing uncertainty as to whether the current core can truly be a contender. Combating that uncertainty required urgency to pull off a successful offseason.
This offseason has been different for the Atlanta Braves.
Already one of the most active offseasons during Alex Anthopoulos’ time with the Braves, Atlanta has filled almost every need this offseason has had. The bullpen is a force again, the shortstop is no longer a source of despair and the offense will hopefully be more versatile and consistent. It was a successful offseason for the Braves.
But they certainly shouldn’t be ready.
Since the season ended, Anthopoulos has remained consistent with his emphasis on adding starting pitching. Even after meeting most of his needs, AA remained emphasized that focus again last week. And he doesn’t just want to contribute to the rotation, he wants to add a difference maker. While the Braves’ starting rotation already has plenty of quality and especially needs depth, adding a true front of the rotation arm to the Atlanta rotation would clearly make it one of the best in baseball.
That level of talent currently remains available to the Braves, either via trade or free agency. Multiple names could make sense, but one name seems to check a lot of boxes that Anthopoulos would like to address with an addition to the starting rotation.
That would be Framber Valdez.
And while recent history in terms of both Valdez and the Braves would indicate a pursuit is unlikely, sources of familiarity with Valdez and the pre-existing foundation with the Braves could make it make more sense than some might think.
When it comes to Valdez and free agency, no one doubts the talent or production. However, almost everyone remembers last year’s questionable incident, which some say makes Valdez unsuitable for any team.
How much truth there is in the speculation as to whether the incident was deliberate or not is certainly relevant. But so does the fact that the speculation exists. And that could raise concerns among teams about Valdez’s character, especially when it comes to making a huge investment in the southpaw now that he’s in his mid-30s.
But that’s where Atlanta’s connections to the Astros could give them a little more certainty than other teams about how reliable Valdez can be. First, prior to his current role as Astros GM, Dana Brown was with Anthopoulos and the Braves for many years. To what extent may not be known, but it is feasible to think that Anthopoulos and Brown probably discussed Valdez at some point. Valdez may have been traded a year ago, and the Braves and Astros completed the Mauricio Dubon-Nick Allen trade earlier this offseason. If Anthopoulos has had any interest in Valdez, his relationship with Brown could provide additional upside for him to feel comfortable pursuing the veteran starter.
Furthermore, the Braves have also simply joined former big league catcher Martin Maldonado to the organization in a support role with the MLB team. This addition was seen in a positive light by many as Maldonado is well viewed as a future coach and potential manager. Of course, Maldonado also won a World Series with the Astros in 2022. Furthermore, Houston’s staff loved Maldonado during his time in Houston. This also applies to Valdez, who has a very strong and close relationship with Maldonado. In Maldonado, Atlanta probably has one of the best references of the player, teammate and person Valdez truly is. That could give them more confidence to aggressively sign Valdez.
While the connection of Brown and Maldonado having an impact on the Braves pursuing Valdez is pure speculation, there is some significance to it. Anthopoulos is certainly known to thoroughly research every aspect of a player before wanting to add them to the franchise. With Brown and Maldonado, Anthopoulos would have two very reliable sources to back Valdez as a key addition for the Braves.
Similar style to former Brave
The one aspect of Valdez that should clearly make the Braves interested in adding him is his talent and production. Since 2020, Valdez has finished 11th or better in the AL Cy Young race in four of six seasons. He is 6th among MLB starters in fWAR over the span, and is fifth in total innings pitched. Not only has Valdez been elite for several years, but just as importantly for the Braves, he has been extremely durable.
Another aspect of Valdez that could make him even more attractive to the Braves is how closely he compares to former Brave Max Fried. In fact, it’s shocking how similar the two successful lefties are as of 2020:
In addition to their elite ability to produce ground balls and excellent control, both Valdez and Fried were among the best starters in baseball this decade. And with Fried having played all but one season of his career with the Braves, Atlanta certainly knows how to get the most out of this pitching profile. But it also brings up a valid question:
Why would the Braves sign Valdez just a year after letting Max Fried leave in free agency?
Two factors play a role in answering that question. In terms of age, Valdez is exactly two months older than Fried. However, he will also enter free agency at age 32, compared to Fried who entered free agency at age 31 last year. Additionally, Valdez has thrown nearly 120 more innings than Fried over the past three seasons. In other words, as mentioned earlier, Valdez has been much more sustainable. With all the injuries that Atlanta has seen befall its starting staff, including Fried, in recent years, durability is certainly attractive.
Coming close to the seven years and $218 million that Fried got from the Yankees was not the path Atlanta wanted to take. However, a more durable but equally reliable and successful version of Fried in Valdez could be attractive to the Braves, especially if certain factors like age could mean a shorter term and smaller overall financial commitment. While it’s even more unlikely than likely, Atlanta knowing how to maximize Valdez’s pitching style would also be a good setup to help him age well in terms of value, making it a worthwhile investment.
Another way of saying the Braves want to add a difference-maker to their rotation is that they want to add a talent they can rely on heading into a playoff game. From that perspective, the idea of ​​adding Valdez to the Braves becomes even more intriguing. Since 2020, Valdez has pitched more postseason innings than anyone in baseball, including 17 in the World Series. He is also tied for the most postseason wins in that time frame with 7.
A year after Max Fried threw six innings in Game 6 to lead the Braves to a World Series victory in 2021, Valdez pitched six innings in a Game 6 World Series win in 2022. Like Fried, Valdez has struggled at times in the postseason over the years, though he has a better track record. While Valdez has a career postseason ERA of 4.34, he also has a career postseason xFIP of 3.19. Valdez has been a frontline starter for contenders in Houston throughout his career and has succeeded more often than not. If the Braves want to get back into contention, adding Valdez’s proven postseason track record could make a difference when it matters most.
As you can see, the word fame is a big reason why the Braves signing Valdez could make more sense than many might think. This is due to both the many ways the Braves can easily become more and more familiar with the way Valdez operates and finds success, as well as the familiarity Valdez has in producing as a frontline starter for a team that expects to compete.
That exposure should also help with concerns about Valdez’s age, character and other questions that may arise. Additionally, the foundation that the Braves have as one of the most highly regarded clubhouse cultures in the game would likely increase the chances that Valdez would maintain his elite success on the field as he ages.
Of course, the financial commitment it would make to sign Valdez, including losing the 26th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, would truly be a new horizon for Alex Anthopoulos. Valdez’s asking price would likely come close to doubling Anthopoulos’ biggest signings in his career (the signings of Russell Martin and Marcell Ozuna were just over $80 million). Also, Anthopoulos will typically invest in position players and the bullpen in free agency over starting pitchers.
While these reasons could once again point out the many reasons why the Braves couldn’t pursue Valdez, it could also point out another major reason why they should. After the past two seasons, the Braves should be motivated to change the way they approach roster construction. Additionally, they should be more aggressive in actually building a team that is a contender. The one part of the Braves that has been truly elite over the past two seasons is the starting rotation. Adding Valdez would strengthen the Braves rotation and make it one of the best in baseball. Not only for the regular season, but also for the postseason. And that truth would endure for years to come.
Ultimately, it’s almost certain that the Braves will add another starter to their team. And that starter level will likely be remarkable. But with the resources to know Valdez better than any other team and a well-thought-out franchise base already in place, the Braves should have the “go big or go home” mentality. And after coming home earlier than expected four years in a row, there is no bigger asset than Valdez who can boost the Braves’ chances of bringing home another championship in the near future.
#Fame #Foundation #Framber #Valdez