Framber Valdez strengthens the Detroit Tigers’ rotation in multi-million dollar deal

The Detroit Tigers are on the verge of completing one of the biggest pitching moves of the 2026 offseason. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the team has reached a three‑year, $115 million agreement with Dominican left‑hander Framber Valdez, pending a routine physical.

The deal includes an opt‑out after the 2026 season, giving Valdez the option to re‑enter the market if he chooses. While the club hasn’t made anything official, the move signals a direct effort to bolster a rotation already anchored by Tarik Skubal—one of the American League’s premier arms.

A new ace for A.J. Hinch

Valdez, 32, heads to Detroit after eight seasons with the Houston Astros, where he established himself as one of the most reliable starters in Major League Baseball. He earned two All‑Star selections and played a pivotal role in Houston’s 2022 World Series championship run.

The signing also reunites Valdez with Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who oversaw the lefty’s early development in Houston. Under Hinch’s guidance, Valdez began shaping the profile that now makes him one of the most consistent pitchers in the game.

Durable, productive, and built for heavy workloads

Since 2020, Valdez has posted a 3.23 ERA across nearly 1,000 innings, a testament to both his performance and durability. Few pitchers in the league have logged more innings during that span, making him a dependable option to open series and stabilize a rotation.

His success stems from a blend of strikeouts and elite ground‑ball production. Valdez’s signature sinker routinely ranks among the best in baseball, generating a steady stream of weak contact and keeping home runs to a minimum.

In 2025, he topped 30 starts once again, finishing with 192 innings, 187 strikeouts, and a 3.66 ERA. After the season, he declined Houston’s qualifying offer, entering free agency and setting up a compensatory draft pick for the Astros.

Detroit’s 2026 rotation suddenly looks formidable

With Valdez in the fold, Detroit projects a rotation led by Tarik Skubal, the back‑to‑back AL Cy Young Award winner. Behind them, the Tigers expect contributions from Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize, while Reese Olson is expected to rejoin the staff once he completes his recovery from the injury that sidelined him in 2025.

In the short term, Valdez and Skubal form one of the strongest one‑two punches in MLB—two starters capable of working deep into games and thriving under pressure.

Beyond his regular‑season value, Valdez brings October experience. He has made 16 postseason starts and thrown more than 80 playoff innings, including several key outings during Houston’s 2022 title run.

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