The Toronto Blue Jays were so close. So close that fans could have their hands on the 2025 World Series trophy—just one win away. But then the Los Angeles Dodgers won two games in a row, and what seemed like a minor incident in Game 6 became an unforgivable blemish on the memory of the entire season.
The play, dubbed the “lodged ball,” was a decision that instantly changed the pace of the game. The Dodgers’ center fielder picked up the ball and threw it back unopposed, but the referee stopped it. For many, it wasn’t just a technical decision. It was the moment the World Series could have taken a completely different turn.
The controversy didn’t erupt violently. It simmered. And that silence was what was frightening. “The Blue Jays may have been unfairly treated,” was how many put it—not a definitive statement, not an accusation, but enough to sow doubt. A doubt that Toronto carried throughout the winter.
It’s noteworthy that the Blue Jays didn’t collapse because of that defeat. On the contrary, they acted quickly and shrewdly. Toronto’s offseason was effective and calculated. Their aggressive pursuit of Kyle Tucker showed they weren’t short on money or ambition. But they didn’t stop there.
The name Framber Valdez began to appear in discussions—not loudly, but consistently. Toronto now possesses a quality rotation, but one that’s almost entirely right-handed. With Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber potentially becoming free agents after next season, adding an experienced left-handed starter isn’t just a short-term solution.
It’s a long-term statement.
Valdez was once considered the biggest pitching contract candidate. But last season complicated that image. Questions surrounding his “intentional” pitching errors, or his willingness to publicly question the Astros’ coaching staff, overshadowed his already high professional value.
Toronto understands that. And perhaps that’s why this trade is so interesting. The Blue Jays aren’t looking for a perfect, image-driven name. They’re looking for seasoned experience, playoff experience, and the ability to stand firm in moments when the pressure is overwhelming.
After the 2025 World Series, Toronto will be more hungry than anyone else. Not because they’re weak, but because they’re already so close to the top. Rotation is currently strong enough to bring them back to the postseason. But to take that next step—the one Game 6 took away—they need more than stability. They need a psychological anchor.
Framber Valdez, with all the controversy surrounding him, could be that piece of the puzzle.
The question isn’t just whether Toronto will sign him. It’s: are they building the future—or are they trying to close a chapter in a moment the city still can’t forget?
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