Several teams, including the Blue Jays, are interested in left-hander Valdez as a top free-agent starter, sparking competition.

Despite the Blue Jays’ significant offseason investments in their starting staff, including acquiring right-handers Dylan Cease and KBO MVP Cody Ponce, they have recently focused on another top-tier free-agent starter. According to MLB Network insiders Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman’s reports today, multiple teams, including the Blue Jays, have shown interest in the top remaining left-handed starter on the market, Framber Valdez. Should the Blue Jays pursue him seriously, they may face competition from their divisional rival, the Baltimore Orioles, who have been linked to Valdez multiple times throughout the offseason.

Valdez, 30 years old, is a two-time All-Star who has posted a 3.36 career ERA over eight seasons with the Houston Astros and received votes for the AL Cy Young Award in four different seasons, peaking at fifth place in 2022. Although the Blue Jays already have one of the league’s best rotations featuring Cease, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Ponce, Trey Yesavage, and José Berríos, the team appears open to further strengthening by potentially signing Valdez.