⚾️🔄 Dodgers’ Game-Changing Move? The Unbelievable Reason Why Framber Valdez Trade Is a MUST! 💥

The recent history of trades between the Dodgers and the Houston Astros has leaned more favorably toward Houston in the past two transactions.

The notable trade in the summer of 2016, where the Dodgers acquired reliever Josh Fields in exchange for the underrated prospect Yordan Alvarez, remains infamous. While Fields contributed with an fWAR of just under 1.0 in his Dodgers stint, Alvarez has since become a World Series champion and established himself as a premier power hitter in baseball.

A less notable trade occurred in 2019 when the Dodgers acquired first baseman Tyler White for minor league reliever Andre Scrubb. White struggled in his brief 12-game stint with the Dodgers, hitting .045 with a -20 wRC+, while Scrubb showcased promise with a solid 3.32 ERA in 38 relief appearances for Houston.

Since 2016, the Dodgers’ trades with Houston haven’t been overly fortunate. However, there’s an opportunity for the Dodgers to reverse this trend by pursuing a deal for one of the American League’s best left-handed starters, Framber Valdez.

Valdez has established himself as a standout in the Astros’ rotation, earning consecutive All-Star selections and finishing the 2023 season with a 3.45 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 189 innings.

Despite reports of interest from at least six teams, Houston is not currently inclined to trade Valdez this winter. However, given the Dodgers’ potential needs due to injuries, especially with the injury history of starters like Walker Buehler, Dustin May, and Tyler Glasnow, adding a consistent arm like Valdez could be beneficial.

Here are a few reasons why the Dodgers should consider adding Valdez to their rotation:

1. Postseason Heroics: Valdez has demonstrated exceptional performance in the postseason, as seen in his 2022 stats with a perfect 3-0 record, a 1.44 ERA, and 33 strikeouts. His ability to elevate his game in crucial moments could provide a significant boost to the Dodgers in the playoffs.

2. Ground Ball Specialist: The Dodgers struggled with limiting home runs in the 2023 season, ranking among the teams allowing at least 200 homers. Valdez’s impressive ground ball rate (54.2%) and low home runs allowed per nine innings (0.86) could address this weakness and provide stability to the pitching staff.

3. Innings Eater: Valdez has shown the ability to pitch deep into games, making 31 starts and delivering 20 quality starts in the 2023 season. His consistency in pitching six to seven innings could alleviate the bullpen’s workload and contribute to the Dodgers’ success.

While the chances of acquiring Valdez this winter might be slim, given the Astros’ reluctance to part with a key rotation piece, adding a pitcher of Valdez’s caliber could greatly enhance the Dodgers’ rotation. His left-handed presence, proven postseason performance, ground ball proficiency, and innings-eating capabilities make him a valuable target to strengthen the Dodgers’ pitching staff.