By Hunter Mulholland
Contributing Sports Writer
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Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez is getting ready to hit the open market, and R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports projects that he could land a similar deal to left-hander Max Fried this winter. Fried received an eight-year $218 million deal with the New York Yankees last winter, and Valdez has been a reliable arm with Cy Young votes in four of his last five seasons.
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Valdez has thrown among the most innings pitched in the last five seasons, combined with a 2.97 ERA this season. The Astros' lefty has been one of the most effective and reliable arms in all of Major League Baseball.
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Valdez is also a two-time All-Star, and despite not winning any awards or statistical categories, he has received votes for MVP, along with the aforementioned Cy Young votes.
Much like Fried, teams will be looking to land the consistent lefty on the open market, and he could be in line for a contract of $27 million annually.
Valdez turns 32 in November and has been exceptional with keeping the ball in the yard, leading the league this season with a 0.5 HR/9. His ability to keep the ball on the ground has contributed to this, as during his career 62% of all batted balls were grounders.
Fried may have held a higher pedigree than Valdez, but with him as the headliner, in the winter, teams will be enticed by a lefty that keeps the ball down and can strike out one batter an inning.
Valdez is headed down the stretch to add another World Series title to his trophy case before reaching free agency.
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