Report: Blue Jays checked in Framber Valdez early in the offseason

One name that’s sticking around, who has seemingly had a cold market in recent weeks, is Framber Valdez, whose free-agent profile is one that any team looking to compete can make room for.

From a roster construction standpoint, the infield is well-equipped to support Valdez’s groundball tendencies, with Andres Gimenez and Ernie Clement expected to work in the middle. Pairing Valdez with Cease and Kevin Gausman would give the Blue Jays a certified three-man monster and one of the most feared rotations coming in the postseason.

Still, there is reason to hesitate to pull the trigger.

League insiders report that Valdez could carry a price tag of more than $150 million, and that Toronto already has significant investments elsewhere on the roster, including the starting rotation. With other teams such as the Mets and Orioles reportedly interested, the Blue Jays are unlikely to step outside their comfort zone in a bidding war. Valdez would likely have to fall into Toronto’s lap for a deal to become a real possibility, and the front office would shift toward run prevention (signing a new starter) versus players who add runs (a power bat).

Yet the context matters. After falling short on two franchise-changing players, the Blue Jays could be looking to quickly turn around and solidify a dominant position in the American League. As many say, you can never pitch too much, and barring injuries, having three starters who can each be an ace represents the kind of depth championships have been built on.