Hitters slump virtually every year. Good for a bit, great for a bit and then not so good. That is kind of normal. Plus a lot of thjngs go into a supposed slump. Was he hitting the ball just as hard during the slump? Was he hitting in bad luck? Etc….
Pitchers, on the other hand, don’t normally have a 10 game stretch that Valdez had without something being off. His last 10 starts his WHIP was over 1.50. That is bad and not normal. Sure, there are pitching slumps too, but not as easily explained as hitting.
Tjat said, Valdez is most likely going to be very good. I was just pointing out something that “could be” a concern if GM’s. That added to them his actions could lead to a slower market. But it won’t be low enough for thr Xubs to get involved, IMO.