The Detroit Tigers just made a major splash in free agency, landing left-hander Framber Valdez on a three-year, $115 million deal, according to reports. The contract includes a $20 million signing bonus, deferred money, and an opt-out after the second season-giving Valdez both financial security and future flexibility.
At 32, Valdez was the last big-name free agent left on the board, and his signing instantly reshapes the Tigers’ rotation. There had been some late noise about the Pittsburgh Pirates being in the mix, but in the end, it’s Detroit that steps up and lands a proven frontline arm.
Let’s talk about what this means for the Tigers-and it’s big.
Since 2020, Valdez has been one of the most consistent starters in baseball, posting a 3.23 ERA, 3.36 FIP, and a 128 ERA+ over 973 innings. That’s not just solid-that’s high-end production over a sizable sample. He’s a groundball machine with postseason experience and a reputation for going deep into games, something every contender covets in October.
For Detroit, this move signals a clear intent to compete now. Pairing Valdez with Tarik Skubal gives the Tigers one of the most formidable left-handed duos in the American League.
Skubal, fresh off back-to-back Cy Young Awards and entering his final year of arbitration, has emerged as a true ace. Now, with Valdez slotting in behind him, Detroit has a 1-2 punch that can go toe-to-toe with just about anyone.
And here’s where things get even more interesting: both Skubal and Valdez are lefties. That’s a nightmare matchup in a postseason series for teams with lefty-heavy lineups. Think about the strategic pressure that puts on opposing managers-especially when the calendar flips to October and every at-bat is magnified.
This move also provides the Tigers with some insurance. If Skubal were to leave in free agency after this season, Valdez gives Detroit a frontline starter to anchor the rotation moving forward. And if things go well, the Tigers could try to extend Skubal and keep this duo intact for years to come.
The opt-out after year two adds another layer of intrigue. If Valdez continues to pitch at his current level, he could test the market again in a couple of years. But for now, Detroit gets a proven veteran who can help stabilize the rotation and elevate the team’s ceiling.
Bottom line: this is a statement signing. The Tigers aren’t just building for the future-they’re aiming to win now. And with Valdez joining forces with Skubal, they’ve got the kind of left-handed firepower that can make life miserable for opposing hitters all season long.