Astros agree to 1-year deals with 6 players, including All-Stars Framber Valdez and Kyle Tucker

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros agreed with six players Thursday on one-year contracts that avoided arbitration, including All-Star lefty Framber Valdez and outfielder Kyle Tucker.

Valdez will make $12.1 million next season. Tucker gets a $12 million salary.

The Astros also reached deals with outfielder Chas McCormick ($2.85 million) and pitchers Bryan Abreu ($1.75 million), Luis Garcia ($1,875,000) and José Urquidy ($3.75 million).

FILE - Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws during the first inning of Game 6 of the baseball AL Championship Series against the Texas Rangers, Oct. 22, 2023, in Houston. The Astros agreed to one-year contracts with six players Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, including All-Star lefty Valdez, who will make $12.1 million next season. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Valdez has been one of the American League’s best pitchers over the past two seasons, making the All-Star team and finishing in the top 10 of AL Cy Young Award voting both years. He was 12-11 with a 3.45 ERA last season.

Tucker, a two-time All-Star, led the AL with 112 RBIs while hitting .284 with 29 homers and 30 stolen bases last year.

The only Astros player eligible for arbitration who failed to reach a deal was utilityman Maurico Dubón. He asked for $3.5 million and Houston offered $3 million when teams and players swapped 2024 salary proposals Thursday.

Dubón can still negotiate a deal with the club before a hearing. Eligible players without agreements will be scheduled for hearings before three-person panels from Jan. 29 through Feb. 16 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

FILE - Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws during the first inning of Game 6 of the baseball AL Championship Series against the Texas Rangers, Oct. 22, 2023, in Houston. The Astros agreed to one-year contracts with six players Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, including All-Star lefty Valdez, who will make $12.1 million next season. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Latest MLB Rumors: News on Bellinger, Stroman, free agents and potential trade targets

Even with Shota Imanaga signing with the Chicago Cubs, the MLB free agent pool still consists of tons of high-end talent on both sides. Need rotation help? Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, and Marcus Stroman are all still available for the taking. Need an elite closer? Josh Hader’s your man. Is solid pop what you’re looking for? Matt Chapman, Cody Bellinger, and Rhys Hoskins are still there.

Sep 28, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Cody Bellinger (24) throws a runner out at first against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Despite all the big names though, the free agency period is moving noticeably slowly. Every time a big name signs somewhere, it seems like we need to wait another week before anybody else makes a move, which is shocking considering how many big-market teams have still yet to make an impact signing. The Rangers and Blue Jays have yet to make any considerable moves. Even teams rumored to sell like the White Sox and Brewers have yet to give away any of their high-end talent.

Nonetheless, as the start of spring training draws nearer every day, there is bound to be some big moves just around the corner. Here are the latest rumors surrounding the top MLB free agents as well as potential trade pieces.