The Detroit Tigers just made a major splash, locking in two-time All-Star Framber Valdez on a three-year, $115 million deal that sends a clear message: they’re serious about contending.
Valdez, 32, isn’t just a big-name signing - he’s a front-line workhorse with the résumé to back it up. Over eight seasons with the Houston Astros, he’s posted a 3.36 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
That’s not just solid - that’s the kind of production you build a rotation around. And with a 2022 World Series ring already on his finger, Valdez brings championship experience to a Tigers team that’s been itching to turn the corner.
This deal isn’t just about dollars - though the dollars are historic. Valdez’s $38.3 million average annual value sets a new benchmark for both left-handed pitchers and Latin American pitchers, making this one of the most significant contracts in recent memory. It also includes a $20 million signing bonus and an opt-out after the second year, giving Valdez some flexibility while the Tigers get at least two years of elite-level starting pitching.
There’s more to this move than just numbers. Valdez recently sat down with Tigers manager A.J.
Hinch - a reunion of sorts from their shared time in Houston. That connection clearly played a role in getting this deal over the finish line.
Hinch knows what Valdez brings to the table: a fierce competitor with a heavy sinker, elite ground-ball rates, and the ability to dominate deep into games.
Over the past four seasons, Valdez ranks fifth in fWAR among all starting pitchers. That’s elite territory - ahead of some of the game’s biggest names. For a Tigers club that’s been steadily rebuilding, adding a pitcher of this caliber signals a shift from development to contention.
Detroit’s rotation now gets a serious boost, both in talent and identity. Valdez isn’t just a frontline starter - he’s a tone-setter. He gives the Tigers a legit ace to lead the staff, mentor younger arms, and anchor a team looking to make noise in the AL Central.
This move doesn’t guarantee a playoff run, but it gives the Tigers something they’ve lacked for years: a proven, high-impact starter who’s been on the biggest stage and delivered. And with the kind of deal Valdez just signed, the expectations are clear - Detroit is ready to compete, and they’re not being quiet about it.