The Houston Astros signed their ace, Framber Valdez, but not to the deal that many believed would eventually happen.

Starting pitcher Framber Valdez and the Houston Astros agreed to a one-year, $18 million contract to avoid arbitration on Thursday, according to ESPN's

The Houston Astros reached 2025 salary agreements with all eight of their arbitration-eligible players, a group including ace Framber Valdez, prior to Thursday’s deadline. Houston also agreed to terms with third baseman Isaac Paredes,

The Astros and left-hander Framber Valdez have agreed to an $18MM salary to avoid arbitration, per a report from Chandler

13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke, File) Toronto Blue Jays ...

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez also agreed to a one-year contract for $18 million, sources told ESPN. Guerrero and Valdez can become free agents after the World Series. Tarik Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner ...

Valdez is entering his final year of arbitration and will earn nearly $6 million more than he did in 2024. He's emerged as one of the more reliable pitchers around the league in recent seasons, posting no worse than a 3.45 ERA in any season since 2021. Valdez has also completed at least 176 innings in each of the last three campaigns.

The Houston Astros have agreed to a salary with starting pitcher Framber Valdez, locking up the lefty for 2025 and avoiding arbitration.

The Astros announced they had reached deals with all eight of their arbitration-eligible players Thursday, highlighted by All-Star left-hander Framber Valdez agreeing to an $18 million contract for 2025,

The Houston Astros and Starting Pitcher Framber Valdez agreed to terms on a one-year $18 million contract. The two sides were able to come together to avoid arbitration. This one-year deal keeps ...

The Houston Astros came to terms on one-year contracts for all eight of their arbitration-eligible players on Thursday, including star left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez. The Astros did not ...

Framber Valdez earned All-Star status in both 2022 and 2023. During the former season, he set an MLB record for most consecutive quality starts within the same season at 25.