Astros predicted to buy low on $13.5 million All-Star, Cy Young candidate to replace Framber Valdez

Astros predicted to buy low on $13.5 million All-Star, Cy Young candidate to replace Framber Valdez originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Houston Astros had a disappointing season in 2025. While they had a decent winning record, they still missed the playoffs. Now, they’ll need to look for a replacement for their ace, Framber Valdez, who has entered free agency.

Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller believes the Astros might think outside the box and will buy low on Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star and Cy Young candidate Zac Gallen.

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“From 2020-24, Valdez was worth 14.7 bWAR. Well, during that same half-decade, Zac Gallen was worth 16.9 bWAR in Arizona, and he's nearly two years younger than Valdez. The problem is Gallen had a horrific walk year, to the point where it was plausible he would accept the $22.025M qualifying offer. He didn't and could be headed for the most uniquely structured contract of this offseason. Houston could swoop in and snag a co-ace for Hunter Brown with something like a $22.5M offer for 2026 with a club option for another 5/$125M which converts to a 2/$40M player option if declined,” Miller wrote.

This past season, Gallen posted a record of 13-15, an ugly 4.83 ERA, 175 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.260 over 192 innings pitched. However, if you rewind to two seasons prior, he posted a 17-9 record, an ERA of 3.47, 220 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.119 in 210 innings pitched, and was an All-Star and third place for the Cy Young.

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This is the Gallen the Astros hope to buy low on. If they can get that guy for a lower price tag, it would work wonders for their payroll and rotation.

If anything, Gallen would be a great backend of the rotation. Hopefully, the Astros really pursue him, as other teams might have the same line of thinking.

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