Mets predicted to land one of two major free agent starters, including Framber Valdez

The Mets have spent the early part of the offseason operating with calculated patience, but the time for bargain hunting appears to be over.

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Mets are now on a collision course with the top of the pitching market. In a recent report, Olney stated that it seems “inevitable” that the Mets will land one of the two premier left-handers remaining in free agency: Framber Valdez or Ranger Suárez.

“With the Mets still needing help in their rotation, it seems inevitable they’ll land one of these two,” Olney reported.

David Stearns knows the rotation needs a stabilizer to pair with or even replace Kodai Senga, and both options offer legitimate frontline potential—albeit with vastly different styles. Here is a breakdown of the two arms that could define the Mets’ 2026 season.

Framber Valdez: The Ground Ball Machine

Framber Valdez represents the “workhorse” option. The 32-year-old has been one of the most durable pitchers in baseball over the last half-decade, a trait the Mets desperately need after watching their rotation fracture last season.

• 2025 Stats: 13-11 Record, 3.66 ERA, 192.0 IP, 187 K, 1.24 WHIP
• The Arsenal: Valdez is a throwback power pitcher who relies on a heavy sinker that averaged 94.3 mph last season and a sweeping curveball. This combination allows him to generate ground balls at an elite rate (over 50%), keeping the ball in the yard and erasing baserunners with double plays.
• The Contract: Projections peg Valdez for a significant payday, with estimates hovering around a five-to-six year deal worth approximately $150 million to $168 million. The Mets could try to leverage their financial might to offer a shorter term (3-4 years) with a massive Average Annual Value (AAV) to lower the long-term risk.
• Pros: Elite durability (190+ innings consistently), keeps the ball on the ground, World Series pedigree.
• Cons: Command can be sporadic (3.4 BB/9 career avg), and he has significant mileage on his arm entering his mid-30s.

Ranger Suárez: The Cool-Headed Artist

If Valdez is the hammer, Ranger Suárez is the scalpel. The former Philadelphia Phillie has built a reputation as one of the calmest pitchers in the sport, a quality that plays exceptionally well in the pressure cooker of the NL East.

• 2025 Stats: 12-8 Record, 3.20 ERA, 157.1 IP, 151 K, 1.22 WHIP
• The Arsenal: Suárez doesn’t overpower hitters with velocity (sinker sits ~90 mph), but he disrupts timing with a deep repertoire and elite command. He is also an incredible defender on the mound, acting as a fifth infielder which helps his own cause.
• The Contract: Suárez rejected a one-year, $22 million qualifying offer, signaling he is seeking a long-term commitment. Industry expectations suggest a deal in the five-year, $110 million to $125 million range, making him a slightly cheaper option than Valdez but still a significant investment.
• Pros: Proven success in the NL East and postseason, younger than Valdez (30 years old), elite poise and defense.
• Cons: Durability concerns (has never thrown 160+ innings in a season), lower velocity leaves less margin for error, history of nagging injuries (back/thigh).

The Verdict

The choice comes down to philosophy. If the Mets want guaranteed innings and raw power to eat up the regular season, Valdez is the safer bet. But if they want a pitcher who can navigate a postseason lineup with finesse and won’t be rattled by the bright lights of Citi Field, Suárez is the ideal fit. Either way, it appears “inevitable” that one of them will be wearing orange and blue by Spring Training.