The New York Yankees are off to a strong start in their quest to return to the World Series, thanks to an aggressive offseason that added key players like Max Fried and Paul Goldschmidt to support star slugger Aaron Judge. Despite losing key contributors such as Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres, and Clay Holmes, the team has remained competitive. However, injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil have thinned the starting rotation, an area that often determines postseason success.
To address that weakness, Heavy’s Sam Bernardi proposed a potential trade to bring Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez to New York. The suggested deal would send outfield prospect Everson Pereira and right-hander Clayton Beeter to Houston in return. While some fans are still hoping for a move to acquire Sandy Alcantara, Bernardi argues that Valdez may be a more practical target.
Valdez, a two-time All-Star and consistent Cy Young contender, has had a bumpy start to 2025 with a 3.94 ERA through eight games. Still, he’s begun to look like his old dominant self and is set to hit free agency after the season. Spotrac projects his next contract could reach around $70 million, which might make him more affordable for the Yankees in a midseason trade.
Bernardi acknowledges concerns about Valdez’s age and upcoming payday, but stresses the importance of maximizing Aaron Judge’s prime. With Pereira performing well in Triple-A and the Yankees already crowded in the outfield, plus Beeter’s moderate success in 2024, the trade could be a smart way to strengthen the rotation without touching the team’s top-tier prospects like George Lombard Jr. or Spencer Jones.
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