The catcher who knew him best finally weighs in as questions swirl around Valdez's future.

The San Diego Padres need a pitcher to replace Dylan Cease after he departed in free agency, and logically, they would go after the top free agent left on the market, which is Framber Valdez. However, with his clubhouse antics and projected contract, they might want to go with a safer option.

When Major League Baseball's 2025-26 offseason began, Houston southpaw Framber Valdez was easily one of the top 10 free agents on the open market.

Framber Valdez remains a prominent figure in the 2026 MLB free agency, actively seeking a new team for the upcoming season. Among the interested parties, the New York Mets have reportedly maintained their interest in securing his talents.

The New York Mets could make a major signing of Framber Valdez to strengthen their starting rotation, an MLB insider says.

With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in two weeks, MLB teams have a window to finish their free-agent shopping with a flourish.

Here we have a wide-ranging tier including contending teams, rebuilding teams, ascendent teams and tough-to-decipher teams. Some of these clubs could argue against signing Valdez based on the pitching personnel already in place or more urgent needs elsewhere on the roster.