Just when it seemed like the Tigers were content to let the offseason fade quietly into spring, Scott Harris and Jeff Greenberg flipped the script in a big way. Detroit has landed one of the top arms on the market, signing veteran left-hander Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million deal - a move that instantly elevates their rotation and signals a serious intent to contend in 2026 and beyond.
Valdez, 32, may have been eyeing a longer-term contract, but he’s betting on himself with a high-AAV deal that includes an opt-out after the second year. That gives him the flexibility to test free agency again in 2028, once the new CBA is in place.
In the meantime, he reunites with Tigers manager A.J. Hinch - the same skipper who helped usher him into the majors back in 2018-2019 during their time together in Houston.
This isn’t just a reunion story, though. It’s a calculated, high-upside addition to a rotation that already features one of the league’s rising stars in Tarik Skubal. With Valdez in the fold, the Tigers now boast a 1-2 punch that stacks up with just about anyone in the American League.
To make the signing, Detroit will forfeit its Competitive Balance Round B pick in the upcoming draft - the 69th overall selection - due to Houston extending Valdez a qualifying offer back in November. That’s a manageable price to pay for a proven frontline starter, especially one as consistent and durable as Valdez.
And consistency is the name of the game here. Over the last four seasons, Valdez has quietly been one of the most reliable pitchers in baseball, averaging 4 fWAR per year.
He’s made at least 28 starts in each of those seasons - 31 in three of them - and has logged a 3.21 ERA across 767 2/3 innings during that span. His strikeout rate sits at a solid 23.9%, but what really sets him apart is his ability to control contact.
Valdez is a groundball machine, leaning on a heavy 94 mph sinker that induces weak contact and keeps the ball in the yard. His HR/9 over the last four years?
A stingy 0.70. Add in a walk rate under 8%, and you’ve got a pitcher who lives in the zone but rarely gets burned.
He’s also got one of the best curveballs in the game - a true wipeout pitch - and complements it with a changeup that keeps righties honest. The result: quick innings, manageable pitch counts, and a whole lot of frustrated hitters rolling over into double plays.
The Tigers’ catching tandem of Dillon Dingler and Jake Rogers should only help Valdez settle in quickly. Both backstops are known for their framing and game-calling, and with Detroit’s pitching infrastructure continuing to evolve under Chris Fetter and Robin Lund, Valdez will have plenty of support to keep doing what he does best.
It’s worth noting that this move appears to be independent of any developments with Tarik Skubal’s arbitration case - the Tigers reportedly still don’t know the outcome there - so this isn’t some preemptive replacement play. This is about building strength, not bracing for subtraction.
For a Tigers team that’s taken some heat for playing it safe in recent offseasons, this is a statement signing. It’s aggressive, it’s smart, and it puts them right in the thick of the AL Central race. With Valdez and Skubal leading the charge, Detroit’s rotation suddenly looks like a potential powerhouse.
And while the hot stove always invites wild speculation - especially when it comes to trades and what-ifs - the bottom line is this: the Tigers just got a whole lot better.