The drama — what little there was — is over. On Tuesday, Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez rejected the team's qualifying offer and is now officially a free agent. The Astros wisely slapped the left-hander with a qualifying offer once the offseason began and will now receive a draft pick as compensation if Valdez signs elsewhere.
The Astros, because they're a Competitive Balance Tax payor, will receive a compensatory pick after the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft. While that will obviously help bolster a beleaguered Astros' farm system, it's of little comfort to a team who'll now be scouring the free agent and trade markets to find a frontline starting pitcher.