Mets' Sticking Point Amid Framber Valdez Free Agency Interest

The Houston Astros' signing of Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai essentially signals the end of the road for Framber Valdez's time in Houston.

And, with guys such as Dylan Cease and Michael King off the market, Valdez figures to be the best available pitcher in free agency right now.

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The New York Mets have been linked to Valdez time and time again, and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reiterated that sentiment on New Year's Day.

"The Orioles and Mets have been the two clubs most often connected to Valdez, which makes perfect sense given that the top baseball-operations executives for each team have history with the left-hander. Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias was the Astros’ scouting director when Houston signed Valdez signed in 2015, while Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was the Astros’ assistant GM at the time."

So, while the Mets are linked to Valdez still, there is one sticking point that could thwart a deal coming to fruition, as Feinsand mentions.

"The Mets have been very active this winter, trading away Nimmo and McNeil and letting Alonso and Edwin Díaz leave as free agents while adding Marcus Semien, Jorge Polanco, Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. New York could use a big arm to lead its rotation, with Valdez a logical option. One potential sticking point: Stearns has historically shied away from signing starters to long-term deals, making a trade for a controllable arm – Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, perhaps? – a more realistic option," Feinsand added.

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So, the long-term Valdez is looking for could be an issue for the Mets, although landing a top arm such as the Astros ace would do wonders in Queens.

ESPN recently had Valdez's contract projection at six years and $168 million, but we all know money isn't much of an issue for the Mets.

In that same breath, the Mets have been constantly linked to San Diego Padres ace Nick Pivetta in a potential trade, and his deal is much cheaper as he signed a four-year, $55 million contract ahead of the 2025 season.

But, it is no secret that Valdez is a bonafied ace, and the Mets' recent playoff collapse has fans wondering what happens next, especially after a flurry of moves this offseason.

The market for Valdez should materialize soon, or at least he hopes, so it will be interesting to see if the Mets can walk away with Valdez pitching in Queens for the next few years.