The NL West race keeps getting tighter, and now two division rivals might find themselves battling over the same pitcher.
Framber Valdez could become the center of a bidding war between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers if the Houston Astros decide to sell at the trade deadline. Just Baseball’s Zach Lutz identified the left-hander as one of the top arms that could move this summer.
Valdez brings a 3.07 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 84 strikeouts this season, but he’s set to hit free agency after the year. That’s where things get interesting for Houston.
The Astros currently lead the AL West, but they’re facing a familiar dilemma. Do they hold onto Valdez and risk losing him for nothing in the winter? Or do they cash in on a strong offer that could help them stay competitive while adding prospects for the future?
Last year’s NLCS participants each have clear rotation needs that Valdez could address. The Padres need someone to complement Michael King and help offset Dylan Cease’s inconsistency. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ pitching injuries have been well-documented all season.
“The Padres could use someone to complement Michael King and help offset Dylan Cease’s inconsistency,” Lutz wrote. “The Dodgers’ pitching injuries have been well-documented, and question marks in the current rotation behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto could inspire a front office motivated to repeat as champions.”
What Makes This Scenario Electric
Both teams have the prospect capital to make serious offers. The Dodgers are defending champions with championship-level expectations, while the Padres are trying to get back to October after missing the playoffs last year.
A durable left-handed starter like Valdez checks major boxes for both clubs. He’s made at least 31 starts in three of the past four seasons and brings playoff experience from Houston’s recent runs.
“A Padres-Dodgers bidding war for Valdez would be electric, and it wouldn’t be the first time those clubs clashed at the deadline,” Lutz noted.
That’s the understatement of the season. These two have a history of going head-to-head for impact players, and neither backs down easily when they want someone.
The Astros would love nothing more than watching their AL rivals bid against each other, driving up the price. If Houston does decide to sell, they’ll have plenty of leverage with two motivated buyers in the same division.
Any victory the Padres can get over the Dodgers feels monumental these days, and landing Valdez would definitely qualify. The question is whether they’re willing to pay the premium it’ll take to beat their biggest rival to the punch.
