Are the Phillies Interested in Free Agent Framber Valdez

If you can't beat 'em, sign em? Framber Valdez went 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA against the Phillies in the 2022 World Series. Now a free agent, Valdez is being pursued by a number of teams, including potentially the New York Mets. But could the Phillies have interest?

Would the Phillies actually be interested?

The Phillies do need help in the starting pitcher market. If Zack Wheeler is not ready on Opening Day (which is somewhat expected after Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery), that leaves the Phillies rotation with Christopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker, and a question mark for the final spot.

Andrew Painter would get a look in Spring Training, but he has not really earned a spot just yet.

Add in the uncertainty from Nola's own injury-plagued, down season in 2025 with the departure of Ranger Suarez to free agency, and the Phillies suddenly do not seem so deep.

So it would make sense to be looking for another pitcher.

But then that begs the question: Why did the Phillies not sign Suarez? There were some reports that the Phillies maintained interest in Suarez. But Suarez ultimately got a five-year deal with the Red Sox at $26 million per season.

There were some questions about Suarez's durability in the past, so maybe the Phillies hesitated to go that long and for that much money.

Suarez averaged 138.87 innings per season the last five seasons. Valdez averaged 180.46. Suarez turns 31 in August; Valdez turned 32 in November.

It could come down to what Valdez's market looks like. With the Mets interested and in real need of pitching, one might conclude that the Mets are the logical landing spot for Valdez. If the Phillies can drive the price up with interest, that would not be the worst thing in the world.

The Phillies do need to add some starting pitching depth. South Jersey's Zac Gallen might be a good option as well.

The Phillies need starting pitching depth. After losing out on Bo Bichette, the Phillies seem like they still want to improve the roster. Therefore, checking in on available starters might make sense.

The smoke around Valdez could be a sign that the Phillies are not done yet, less than a month from the start of Spring Training.