The Hot Stove season is officially underway in Queens, and a major rumor has the New York Mets emerging as the favorites to sign left-handed starter Framber Valdez to a massive six-year contract reportedly worth $200 million. Valdez, an innings eater with a career groundball rate near 60%, certainly checks some boxes for a club desperate for rotation stability following a period of unprecedented payroll turnover.
However, a deal of this magnitude—paying an established pitcher into his late 30s—demands intense scrutiny. For a team attempting to navigate a competitive window while managing an aggressive payroll, every dollar must be spent efficiently.