Valdez: Astros haven't approached me about extension

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez acknowledged that he and his agent haven't been approached about a contract extension.

"Just keep working hard like I've always been, and get ready for free agency," Valdez said through an interpreter when asked about his last season under contract in 2025, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

The two-time All-Star will make $18 million this year after avoiding arbitration.

"(I'm) concentrated on winning games for the team and being the best player I can be for the team,” Valdez said. "The pressure has always been there, dealing with arbitration and whatnot, but it's more of a mental game. Just being prepared and just being the best that I can be and getting ready and giving the best I can before free agency."

Valdez is still open to signing a long-term extension but is also prepared to test the open market, as the Astros have never given a pitcher a contract larger than $85 million.

"I'm ready for both occasions," Valdez said. "Doesn't matter if I'm a free agent or the Astros approach me about a contract extension - I'm ready for both. There's always an answer for both. I'm ready to do whatever is best for me."

The 31-year-old owns a 3.08 ERA with 688 strikeouts over a combined 710 1/3 innings (112 starts) since 2021. He finished fifth in Cy Young voting in 2022, ninth in 2023, and seventh in 2024.

The Astros have already lost stars Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman this offseason. The former was traded to the Chicago Cubs, while the latter reportedly signed with the Boston Red Sox.