Former Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez has emerged as a top target for MLB teams after the Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent ace Dylan Cease earlier this week. The New York Mets struggled with rotation issues last season, failing to qualify for the playoffs despite their hot start to the year. The Mets are looking to sign Valdez to strengthen their flailing rotation, per MLB insider Hector Gomez. According to Gomez, the Mets are the favorites in the race to sign the former Astros ace, who is expected to sign a six-year, $200 million contract. However, MLB analyst Gary Sheffield Jr. raised concerns over Valdez's valuation. He wrote on X:"Any team willing to pay him $200 million should be the favorite. I wouldn’t pay Framber Valdez $100M."In 31 starts last season, Valdez went 13-11 and posted a 3.66 ERA. The two-time All-Star pitcher has spent his entire career with the Astros, with the 32-year-old posting a 3.20 ERA in 143 starts in the last five seasons. While Valdez had an erratic finish to his Astros stint last season, the All-Star ace has plenty of postseason experience as he has tossed 85 innings in October to date.