Framber Valdez, Tigers Agree to Three-Year Deal Worth $115 Million.

The Detroit Tigers have reportedly agreed to a three-year, $115 million contract with left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez, pending a physical and including an opt-out clause after the 2026 season. If finalized, the signing would strengthen a rotation already led by American League standout Tarik Skubal. Valdez, a two-time All-Star and World Series champion with the Houston Astros, joins a staff that also features Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize. The Tigers are evaluating Reese Olson, who is recovering from a right shoulder injury sustained in 2025, for the No. 5 starter role. Other potential rotation options include Drew Anderson and Troy Melton. Among the top four pitchers, Valdez is the only one under contract beyond 2026, suggesting he and Skubal could form one of baseball’s most formidable one-two punches. Valdez, who turned 32 on November 19, spent his first eight MLB seasons with the Astros, including two under manager A.J. Hinch. Known for combining strikeout ability with a high groundball rate, he has been one of the most durable starters since 2020, posting a 3.23 ERA over 973 innings. His 128 ERA+ in that span ranks eighth among pitchers with at least 100 starts, and he has recorded 18.3 fWAR since 2021, placing him ninth among peers.

In 2025, Valdez reached 30 starts for the third time in four years, finishing with a 3.66 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 192 innings. The Astros extended him a qualifying offer of $22.025 million for 2026, which he declined, tying him to draft-pick compensation. Valdez advanced quickly through Houston’s minor league system after signing as an international free agent in 2015, though he was never considered a top prospect. He struggled early in the majors, posting a 4.60 ERA across 2018-19, but broke out in the shortened 2020 season after Gerrit Cole departed via free agency and Justin Verlander suffered a season-ending injury. Valdez’s best season came in 2022, when he posted a 2.82 ERA with 194 strikeouts over 201⅓ innings, finishing fifth in the AL Cy Young race and contributing to Houston’s World Series victory with a 1.44 ERA in the playoffs.

Detroit, coming off a near miss in the 2025 AL Championship Series, has strengthened its pitching this offseason by signing Drew Anderson, as well as relievers Kenley Jansen and Kyle Finnegan. Adding Valdez could be a significant boost as the Tigers pursue a championship run in 2026.