Detroit Tigers Sign Framber Valdez
The Detroit Tigers have finalized a lucrative deal with free agent pitcher Framber Valdez, reportedly worth $115 million over three years, according to confidential sources who confirmed the news to The Associated Press late Wednesday. The insider requested anonymity due to the undisclosed nature of the contract pending public announcement.
Valdez’s Career Highlights
Valdez, an accomplished left-handed pitcher known for his resilience on the mound, has established himself as a key player during his tenure with the Houston Astros. With a solid record of 13 wins against 11 losses and an ERA of 3.66 in the previous season, he has become a vital addition to the Tigers’ rotation, which is led by Tarik Skubal—a two-time Cy Young Award recipient currently embroiled in a salary arbitration case.
On the financial front, Skubal is seeking an impressive $32 million while the Tigers have proposed $19 million, highlighting ongoing contract negotiations within the team.
Performance and Achievements
The Dominican pitcher, a two-time All-Star and part of the Astros’ 2022 World Series-winning team, showcased remarkable performance throughout his career, evidenced by his 192 innings pitched last season, where he also recorded well over 180 strikeouts and maintained a formidable presence on the field. Valdez’s career stats since his debut in 2018 show a remarkable 81-52 win-loss ratio with an ERA of 3.36, consistently averaging over 191 innings pitched over the past four years—a feat only matched by the Giants’ Logan Webb.
In 2024, Valdez boasted a 15-7 record with a commendable 2.91 ERA over 28 games, and his prowess on the mound was further highlighted by throwing a no-hitter against the Cleveland Guardians on August 1, 2023, as well as being named an All-Star for two consecutive years. His postseason contributions include 17 games, securing an 8-4 record with a 4.34 ERA.
Postseason Contributions
Furthermore, Valdez was integral to the Astros’ success in the postseason, featuring in two World Series. Notably, he secured a decisive victory in Game 6 of the 2022 Series—catalyzing the Astros’ championship against the Philadelphia Phillies. His World Series numbers from that season were particularly impressive, yielding only two earned runs across 12.1 innings pitched.
Despite his impactful performance, Valdez faced challenges in the postseason against the Braves the previous year, where he struggled significantly, allowing an uncharacteristically high number of runs.
Contract Implications and Future Prospects
Interestingly, the pitcher turned down a $22 million qualifying offer from the Astros in November, which now allows Houston to receive a compensatory draft pick tied to Valdez’s new contract with the Tigers. Additionally, the pitcher made headlines previously for an unusual incident involving a pitch that unintentionally struck his catcher following a grand slam by a Yankees player—a moment both he and his catcher insisted was accidental.
As Valdez transitions to the Tigers, his signing not only reinforces the team’s ambitions but also adds a seasoned arm to their rich pitching roster, thus raising expectations for the upcoming season.
