The Detroit Tigers have secured left-handed ace Framber Valdez on a three-year, $115 million deal, reports ESPN, with an opt-out after the second season and deferred payments, according to The Athletic. While the team has yet to announce the signing formally, the acquisition adds a proven frontline starter to a rotation already in contention in the AL Central. Valdez, 32, was the top starting pitcher available in free agency this offseason, and despite lingering questions that kept him on the market late, his track record makes him a high-impact addition.
Valdez Brings Proven Ground-Ball Expertise and Stability to Tigers’ Rotation Moving Forward
Valdez has been one of Major League Baseball’s most reliable pitchers over the past six seasons, posting a 3.23 ERA since 2020 and averaging 30 starts and 192 innings per season since 2021. He is the league’s preeminent ground-ball pitcher, inducing grounders on over 60% of balls in play during that period, far above the league average of roughly 42%.
Valdez relies on a three-pitch mix of sinker, curveball, and changeup to generate weak contact rather than swings and misses, making him a “contact manager” in a league increasingly dominated by strikeouts and exit velocity. Defensive alignment and positioning are critical to maximizing his effectiveness, but when properly supported, Valdez consistently produces strong outcomes and limits hard contact.
Framber Valdez (MLB)Detroit’s signing of Valdez required surrendering a 2026 draft pick, as he rejected the Astros’ qualifying offer. Valdez came up through the Astros’ system, debuting in 2018 under current Tigers manager A.J. Hinch before Hinch’s departure in the aftermath of the sign-stealing scandal.
The move reunites player and manager and bolsters a rotation that already features two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. With Skubal approaching free agency after the 2026 season, Valdez provides a crucial stabilizing presence for the rotation moving forward. The Tigers could also explore trading Skubal and letting Valdez step into a lead role if necessary.
Tigers Strengthen Deep Pitching Rotation with Valdez, Boost Playoff and Division Contention
The Tigers now boast a deep rotation: Valdez and Skubal at the top, followed by All-Star Casey Mize, Jack Flaherty, and fifth-starter candidates Reese Olson and Drew Anderson, the latter returning from a 2.25 ERA season in Korea.
Detroit has made consecutive playoff appearances, advancing past the Wild Card Series both times but narrowly missing the AL Central title last season despite holding a 14-game lead at one point. Adding Valdez strengthens their chances to claim their first division crown since 2014 and puts them in a better position to make a deep postseason run.
Valdez’s signing represents a low-risk, high-reward move for the Tigers, providing stability, experience, and a proven ground-ball approach to complement an already talented rotation. By pairing him with Skubal, Mize, and others, Detroit enters the season as a favorite in the AL Central (+125 per Caesars), with a rotation capable of competing both in the division and in the playoffs. The move underscores the Tigers’ commitment to immediate contention while maintaining flexibility for the post-2026 period.
