Eight Astros avoid arbitration; Framber Valdez lands reported $18M

The Houston Astros came to terms on one-year contracts for all eight of their arbitration-eligible players on Thursday, including star left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez.

The Astros did not disclose financial terms, but according to multiple media reports, Valdez will make $18 million in 2025.

The other seven Houston players who avoided arbitration were right-hander Bryan Abreu and Luis Garcia, infielder/outfielder Mauricio Dubon, outfielder Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers, infielder Isaac Paredes and shortstop Jeremy Pena.

Thursday was the deadline for unsigned arbitration-eligible players and teams to exchange figures.

Valdez, 31, is a two-time All-Star who has taken over in recent years as Houston's staff ace. He threw a no-hitter with just one walk against the Cleveland Guardians in 2023, and in August 2024 he came one out away from no-hitting the Texas Rangers.

Valdez went 15-7 with a 2.91 ERA across 28 starts in 2024, fanning 169 and walking 55 in 176 1/3 innings. In seven major league seasons, all with Houston, he is 68-41 with a 3.30 ERA in 157 games (135 starts). He received votes for both the American League Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player in 2024.

The Astros acquired Paredes, 25, from the Cubs last month in the trade that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago. Paredes is a career .232 hitter with 72 home runs and 234 RBIs over 464 games with the Detroit Tigers (2020-21), Tampa Bay Rays (2022-24) and Cubs (2024).

Pena, Meyers, Dubon and McCormick were all full-time or part-time starters for the Astros in 2024. Pena made 157 starts at shortstop while ranking fourth on the team in RBIs (70) and sixth in homers (15). Meyers contributed 13 home runs and 61 RBIs in 148 games.

--Field Level Media