The Detroit Tigers have agreed to terms with free-agent left-hander Framber Valdez on a three-year, $115 million contract, according to multiple reports from ESPN, CBS Sports, the Houston Chronicle and other outlets.
The deal, which includes an opt-out after the second season, gives Detroit one of the most formidable left-handed rotations in the American League and represents a major splash in the early 2026 free-agency period.
Record Value for a Lefty
At an average annual value of approximately $38.3 million, Valdez’s contract is the highest AAV ever for a left-handed pitcher and also the richest for a Latin American pitcher in MLB history.
The contract reportedly includes deferrals and a $20 million signing bonus, and Detroit will likely surrender its Competitive Balance Round B pick in the 2026 draft as compensation to the Houston Astros, Valdez’s former team, after he declined their qualifying offer.
Proven Starter with Elite Resume
Valdez, 32, spent the entirety of his career with the Astros prior to this offseason. Over more than eight seasons, he established himself as one of baseball’s most reliable starters, posting a cumulative 3.36 ERA with over 1,000 strikeoutsand earning two All-Star selections.
In 2025 with Houston, Valdez made 31 starts, finishing with a 13–11 record, a 3.66 ERA, 187 strikeouts, and a 4.0 fWAR, ranking him among the league’s most effective lefty hurlers.
He also brings a World Series pedigree, having been a key member of the Astros’ 2022 championship team, where he posted a 1.44 ERA across four postseason starts.
Reuniting with A.J. Hinch
One storyline surrounding Valdez’s decision is his long-standing relationship with Tigers manager A. J. Hinch. Hinch managed Valdez during his early days with the Astros, and that connection reportedly played a role in Detroit’s successful recruitment.
Impact on the Tigers Rotation
The addition of Valdez gives Detroit a powerful one-two punch at the top of its rotation alongside reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, who is currently awaiting the outcome of his arbitration hearing.
With Valdez, Skubal, and other arms such as Casey Mize and Jack Flaherty, the Tigers enter the 2026 season with one of the strongest projected pitching staffs in the AL Central.
A Big Step in Free Agency
Detroit’s reported deal for Valdez marks a significant moment for the franchise’s offseason and signals a willingness to compete aggressively for pitching talent as the club aims to contend in 2026 and beyond.
