Ex-Astros ace Framber Valdez predicted to sign with the Cubs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Houston Astros are likely going to have to think about a future without Framber Valdez. He is headlining the starting pitching open market and getting a ton of attention.

Valdez’s price tag may be out of Houston’s range. So, who could be in the market to sign Valdez?

You can likely count out the Toronto Blue Jays, who have signed Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce. However, the New York Mets could be an option, with their need of finding an ace for the future.

Ex-Astros ace Framber Valdez predicted to sign with the Cubs

Another team that is searching for an ace for the future is the Chicago Cubs. Shota Imanaga is on a one-year deal, and the front office would like to bring in another frontline starter to pair with him.

ESPN’s David Schoenfield believes the Cubs are the team to watch when it comes to Framber Valdez.

“The Cubs need a top-of-the-rotation starter, a guy they feel more confident handing the ball to in a playoff game than they did with Matthew Boyd or Shota Imanaga. They also have the payroll flexibility to do it, sitting about $22 million below last season’s total.”

Valdez would instantly improve the club’s rotation, giving them someone with tons of experience, especially in the postseason. Chicago should have no problem trusting him in big games, as he has started plenty of them in his career so far.

Imanaga could serve as a good No. 2 option behind Valdez, with Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, and Jameson Taillon cleaning up at the backend.

This could be a great rotation, but there is no telling what the offense will look like without potentially having Kyle Tucker in the outfield. So, much of the pressure could be on the offense to perform if Chicago can come to terms with Valdez.