DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have reached an agreement with Dominican left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez for three years and 115 million dollars, according to sources close to the negotiation. The agreement, still pending official confirmation by the club, is subject to a physical examination and includes an opt-out option after the 2026 season.
This important signing bolsters the Tigers’ rotation, which already included the stellar Tarik Skubal.
The arrival of Valdez positions the Tigres as one of the teams with the most solid starting pitchers for the 2026 season.
Detroit’s projected rotation includes Skubal, Valdez, Jack Flaherty, and Casey Mize, with Reese Olson as the main candidate for the fifth spot once he recovers from an injury.
Drew Anderson and Troy Melton are also listed as alternatives.
In the short term, the combination of Valdez and Skubal could be one of the most dominant in baseball, considering that Valdez is the only one under contract beyond 2026.
Valdez, who turned 32 last November 19, spent his first eight seasons in the Major Leagues with the Houston Astros, where he was a two-time All-Star and World Series champion.
Since the start of the 2020 season, the left-hander has recorded an ERA of 3.23 in 973 innings, establishing himself as one of the most consistent pitchers.
Since 2021, his first full season as a starter in Houston, Valdez has accumulated 18.3 fWAR, ranking among the top ten MLB pitchers in that period.
In the 2025 season, he made 33 starts, with a 17-6 record, a 3.66 ERA, and 187 strikeouts in 192 innings.
After that campaign, the Astros presented him with a qualifying offer, which was rejected by the Dominican pitcher, which will allow Houston to receive a compensatory draft pick.
Detroit, which in 2025 was one win away from advancing to the American League Championship Series, thus reinforces its title aspirations. In addition to Valdez, the Tigers strengthened their pitching during the offseason with the signing of Drew Anderson, as well as relievers Kenley Jansen and Kyle Finnegan.
The incorporation of Framber Valdez represents a high-impact move for the organization, which aims to seriously compete for October glory in the 2026 season.
