SIGNED: Massive Free Agent Deal for Framber Valdez With Surprise Team

It seemed that top free agent starter Framber Valdez had waited too long in order to cash in big. As the last remaining star on the market, it was clear he wasn’t going to get a long-term deal, but a short-term, high-AAV offer was still expected. But no one thought it would be the Detroit Tigers that would step to the plate—and in a much bigger way than anyone expected.

In a late-night signing, the Tigers gave the former Astros ace a three-year, $115 million deal.

FRAMBER VALDEZ GOT PAID AND IS A DETROIT TIGER‼️

Valdez, 32, gets the highest AAV ever for a left-handed pitcher as well as the highest for a Latin American pitcher 💰 pic.twitter.com/3AeLU2I8tT
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 5, 2026

It's a $38.3M AAV, which is a record for left-handed pitchers and for pitchers from Latin America.

Valdez will be a huge boost to Detroit's rotation, and makes their standing as the prohibitive favourites in the American League Central even stronger. Assuming the Tigers don't turn around and trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, they will have a one-two punch at the top of their rotation as good as any in the majors.

Even Skubal was excited, posting "Dinners on you" on his Instagram story after the signing.

Valdez has been one of MLB's most consistent aces for five seasons

Valdez has been the model of consistency over the last several seasons, maintaining an ERA of 3.20 overall since 2021, while hovering around the 200-inning mark each year. Last season he posted a 13-11 record with Houston, with a 3.66 ERA across 192 innings.

Now the big question for the Tigers is what will happen with Skubal's arbitration hearing on Thursday. It's a $19 million offer from Detroit vs. the superstar's $32 million request. It seems like the Valdez signing gives the Tigers a fallback plan if they are forced to move on from Skubal, which they will almost certainly have to do after the 2026 season when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.