The Framber Valdez sweepstakes are officially over-and it’s the Detroit Tigers who landed the ace left-hander, not the Baltimore Orioles.
After weeks of slow movement in his free agency, Valdez-widely considered the top remaining starting pitcher on the market-has agreed to a three-year, $115 million deal with Detroit, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. It’s a major pickup for a Tigers team looking to take the next step in the AL Central, and a missed opportunity for an Orioles club that had every reason to be aggressive.
Baltimore had been circling Valdez for some time. The need was clear: they’re a young, talented team on the rise, but what they lacked-especially in the postseason-was a true frontline starter. Valdez, with his playoff experience and ability to eat innings while generating soft contact, fit the bill perfectly.
But for a while, the market around him was quiet. The Orioles seemed content to wait it out, banking on the idea that they didn’t need to outbid themselves for a pitcher with limited suitors.
That changed recently as the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates reportedly expressed interest, signaling that Valdez’s market was heating up. And once that door cracked open, Detroit walked right through it.
Now, Valdez is headed to the Motor City, and the Orioles are left empty-handed.
What’s notable here isn’t just that Baltimore missed out-it’s that they didn’t match the Tigers’ offer. That suggests a couple of things.
Maybe Valdez saw something in Detroit’s trajectory that appealed to him. Maybe he liked the fit, the plan, the opportunity to lead a staff that’s still forming its identity.
And when you look at how both teams finished the 2025 season, it’s not a stretch to think Valdez saw Detroit as a team ready to make noise.
For the Orioles, it’s a tough pill to swallow. They’ve built a contender through savvy drafting and player development, but at some point, you have to supplement that core with veteran arms who can take the ball in Game 1 of a playoff series.
Valdez was that guy. And now he’s not.
The Tigers, meanwhile, just added a proven postseason performer to their rotation. Valdez brings a heavy sinker, a calm presence on the mound, and a résumé that includes big October moments. He doesn’t just fill a need-he elevates the entire pitching staff.
Baltimore’s front office has made it clear they’re not going to spend just to spend. But in this case, the price of patience was missing out on a pitcher who could’ve made a real difference.