MLB legend David Ortiz believes that Framber Valdez could be a franchise cornerstone for the next decade - "give the guy a 10-year deal right now"

David Ortiz was all praise for Framber Valdez, who became an unlikely hero for the Houston Astros' successful march to yet another World Series title, downing the Philadelphia Phillies in six exciting games last fall. If his starts during the regular season were solid, Valdez upped the ante during the postseason to the point where he even outpitched Justin Verlander, the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

"Framber Valdez. Three-pitch strike out with overlay. 93-mph sinker | 78-mph curveball | 79-mph curveball," Apollo Media tweeted.

In four playoff starts, Valdez was 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA, including 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in two World Series victories. In 12 1/3 innings altogether throughout the Fall Classic, he struck out 18 batters while allowing just two runs on six hits and five walks. If Jeremy Pena, a rookie, hadn't stolen the spotlight, Valdez could have easily won the World Series MVP award.

Valdez excels at throwing slower pitches, and his sliders and curveballs are devastating to the opposition. These pitches, which almost always result in a strike, are challenging to read. David Ortiz, a former champion with the Dominican Republic and a member of the HOF, had some encouraging words for his fellow countryman as he prepared to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the WBC '23.

"Hall of Famer davidortiz, at TRISTAR1, on Framber Valdez: To be honest with you, if I am the Houston Astros I would give the guy a 10-year deal right now, right now, right now. Here, go and pitch, because he loves the game. He loves pitching. He wants to be good," Houston sportscaster Mark Berman tweeted.

David Ortiz feels that Valdez deserves to be given a multi-year contract given the exponential rise in his performances over the years and the Houston Astros' penchant for locking down Framber to brief extensions. Valdez agreed to a one-year contract extension worth $6.65 million for the 2023 season to avoid arbitration.

Framber Valdez is a brute asset for the Astros

Unlike many of his counterparts at the top of the MLB rotation, Framber Valdez throws hard but is not a power pitcher. Even his pre-inning warm-up throws were soft. In 31 starts last season, he recorded more than nine strikeouts on just three occasions.

He doesn't typically use the kind of equipment he had during most postseason games during the previous season. All of his pitches spun more than usual, and his sinker was about 2 mph harder than typical.

"Framber Valdez pitch mix - splits," Jon Anderson tweeted.

A pitcher who was merely locked down to a $10,000 contract three years ago has become a paramount starter for the reigning champions. Valdez will be the key to the Astros defending their title in 2023, more so as their ace pitcher Justin Verlander has left to join the New York Mets this offseason.