MLB Scout Says Framber Valdez Removed as Free-Agent Target After Viral Catcher Video

Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez figured to be one of the more notable free agents of Major League Baseball's upcoming offseason, but his incident with catcher César Salazar during Tuesday's 7-1 loss to the New York Yankees reportedly could prove costly.

"Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez's stunt, in which he intentionally crossed up his own catcher or at the least simply didn't care that he hit him in the chest with his fastball, could cost Valdez millions in free agency," USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Monday. 

"One scout said their organization already crossed Valdez off their list of free agent candidates after the incident."

Valdez turned heads around the sport on Tuesday when he ignored Salazar's request to step off the mound and gave up a grand slam to Trent Grisham. The pitcher was clearly unhappy and then threw a hard pitch in the middle of the zone just two pitches later.

It ended up hitting a crossed-up Salazar, who appeared to be expecting an off-speed pitch lower in the zone.

Both players told reporters after the game it wasn't on purpose, but it was a notable moment.

"I recognize that was a bad outing for me," Valdez said. "Between Cesar and me, it was a bad moment, but we keep working and focus on the next outing and focus on keeping on working on my stuff and having a good outing."

Valdez allowed six earned runs and eight hits in five innings of work against the Yankees, although he was better in Sunday's contest against the Texas Rangers when he gave up three earned runs and five hits in seven innings.

The southpaw has a 3.42 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 171 strikeouts in 176.1 innings this season, which are impressive numbers for someone who also has a World Series title and two All-Star appearances on his resume.

The 31-year-old would surely draw plenty of interest on the open market as a free agent with those types of numbers under normal circumstances, especially since he is still pitching at a high level in 2025.

But the circumstances aren't as normal after the incident with his catcher.