Red Sox land Astros’ Framber Valdez in blockbuster one-for-one trade proposal

The Boston Red Sox are clearly in the market for a frontline starter.

Even after veteran southpaw Max Fried agreed to a $218 million deal with the New York Yankees, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow reiterated that the team is evaluating remaining frontline options ahead of the 2025 season.

“We intend to continue to look at top-of-the-rotation options,” Breslow said, according to the Boston Globe.

But with top free agents like Fried, Blake Snell and Nathan Eovoldi all accepting deals elsewhere, perhaps it’s time for the Red Sox to turn to the trade market to land an ace. Heavy’s Jonathan Vankin thought about a blockbuster option that could be available, suggesting a one-for-one trade that would bring Framber Valdez from the Houston Astros for first baseman Triston Casas.

“Entering his age-31 season, Valdez will play with the Astros in 2025 on a one-year, $18.8 million contract and then become one of the top free agent pitchers available for 2026,” Vankin wrote. “What that means for the Red Sox is that Valdez would likely be a one-year rental. They probably wouldn’t want to part with any of their top candidates for him. Casas, on the other hand, would fill a need at first base. “Houston.”

Valdez would immediately become the ace of the Red Sox team as currently constructed. He is a two-time All-Star who received Cy Young Award votes in four different seasons, with a 3.30 ERA in his seven-year career. In 2024, he held a 2.91 ERA in 28 starts.

But with free agency looming after the 2025 season, the Astros could look to acquire a younger talent to replace him. The Athletic’s Chandler Rome reported that Astros general manager Dana Brown is “open to a deal” with Valdez or Kyle Tucker as both enter their final seasons of arbitration eligibility.

Most teams want to be sure Valdez signs a contract extension with them before giving up a lot of trade value for a potentially one-year rental. But if that’s off the table, a deal for Casas could be one of the Astros’ best options.

Houston has a significant need at first base after opening with Jose Abreu there in 2024 and subsequently optioning him to the minor leagues. Casas could be an upgrade over the Astros’ remaining options in 2024, despite some injuries and offensive struggles.

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