The Houston Astros are heading toward an important offseason, and Framber Valdez is right in the middle of it. With his recent outbursts and free agency coming up, questions are growing about whether the 31-year-old is making his final starts in an Astros uniform.

Valdez hasn’t been at his best down the stretch. Since the start of August, he has gone 1-5 with a 5.95 ERA, and the Astros have lost seven of his last eight starts. For a pitcher who has been viewed as one of Houston’s most reliable arms in recent years, it’s been a worrying dip in form.

Hall of Famer John Smoltz, speaking on Filippin’ Bats with Ben Verlander, gave his views on whether Framber Valdez might be making his final few starts with the Astros.

“Probably financially. That seems to be the path that the Astros make in

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