Boston will pursue starting pitching help to pair alongside Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello. MLB insider Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports that the Red Sox are an obvious fit for Framber Valdez in free agency.

“Valdez is essentially certain to leave the Astros in free agency,” Bannon wrote, in a piece published on Friday. “Many in the industry point to the Boston Red Sox as an obvious fit. They, too, need durable starting pitching.

“Boston manager Alex Cora was Houston’s bench coach as Valdez climbed the club’s minor leagues, and longtime Astros leader Alex Bregman, who could re-sign with Boston, played with Valdez for seven years.”

Bannon, a Toronto Blue Jays reporter, believes both AL East teams will pursue Valdez.

“Myles Straw, a key cog in Toronto’s clubhouse, played with Valdez for four years in Houston, too,” Bannon added. “Springer, the Jays’ veteran leader, played with Valdez for three seasons, as well. The Blue Jays’ connections run just as deep as the Red Sox’s. With Valdez checking so many other boxes for the Jays, he may be one of Toronto’s best free-agent fits.”

Valdez is a two-time All-Star and won the World Series with the Houston Astros in 2023.

Last season, the left-handed starter went 13-11 with a 3.66 ERA in 31 starts. The 31-year-old is predicted to sign a five-year deal worth $150 million, according to MLBTradeRumors.