Framber Valdez’s $115 Million Deal with Tigers Sparks Surprising Speculation—What’s Next for the Star Pitcher?

In an unexpected twist that has the baseball world buzzing, Framber Valdez, the stalwart left-hander known for his durability and dominance with the Houston Astros, is packing his bags for Detroit. The seasoned pitcher and the Detroit Tigers have struck a deal worth a staggering $115 million over three years, a source close to the negotiations revealed to The Associated Press. This move not only shakes up the Tigers’ rotation — already anchored by the impressive two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal — but also signals Detroit’s serious intent to climb back into contention. Valdez, fresh off a season where he showcased both talent and resilience, is stepping into new territory, leaving behind a legacy of no-hitters, All-Star nods, and a pivotal role in Houston’s 2022 World Series triumph. The story behind this partnership hints at a fascinating chapter unfolding in the MLB saga — one worth watching closely as the Tigers reconfigure their force on the mound. LEARN MORE

Free agent pitcher Framber Valdez and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a $115 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.

Valdez became one of baseball’s most durable starters with the Houston Astros. Now, the left-hander is set to join a Tigers rotation anchored by two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.

Skubal went to a record-setting salary arbitration hearing Wednesday, with the left-hander asking for $32 million and the Tigers offering $19 million.

Valdez is a two-time All-Star and 2022 World Series champion. He was Houston’s ace last season with a 13-11 record and 3.66 ERA, and became a free agent for the first time.

He struck out 187 and walked 68 in 192 innings, and had a major league-high 12 wild pitches while making $18 million on a deal reached last offseason that avoided salary arbitration. He started Houston’s last four season openers.

Since making his major league debut in 2018 with the Astros, he is 81-52 with a 3.36 ERA. The 32-year-old Dominican averaged more than 191 innings the past four seasons, joining Giants right-hander Logan Webb as the only two pitchers to throw at least 175 innings each of those years.

Valdez was 15-7 with a 2.91 ERA over 28 games in 2024 and threw a no-hitter in 2023, when he was an All-Star for a second straight season. He is 8-4 with a 4.34 ERA in 17 postseason games, including 16 starts.

Valdez pitched in two World Series for the Astros, and was the winning pitcher in the clinching Game 6 that secured their 2022 championship against Philadelphia.

In the 2022 Series, he was 2-0 in two starts while allowing two runs over 12 1/3 innings (1.46 ERA) with 18 strikeouts. A year earlier, he gave up 10 runs and 12 hits over 4 2/3 innings (19.29 ERA) in two starts against Atlanta.

Valdez rejected a $22,025,000 qualifying offer from the Astros in November, so they would receive a compensatory draft pick if he completes his deal with Detroit.

Valdez pitched a no-hitter against Cleveland on Aug. 1, 2023. He came close to another one just more than a year later against Texas, but that bid was broken up when Corey Seager homered with two outs in the ninth inning.

There was a strange moment last season when Valdez denied intentionally hitting his catcher in the chest with a pitch almost immediately after giving up a grand slam in a loss to the New York Yankees.

Two pitches after Trent Grisham’s slam in the Yankees’ 7-1 victory on Sept. 2, Valdez crossed up catcher César Salazar by throwing a 92.8 mph sinker to Anthony Volpe. Salazar moved his glove downward as the pitch approached the plate, an indication he was expecting a pitch with less velocity and more break. The ball hit him in his chest protector.

Just before the pitch Grisham sent over the fence, Salazar had motioned for Valdez to step off the mound. Valdez and Salazar both said after the game the pitch that hit the catcher wasn’t on purpose.

Astros manager Joe Espada insisted a day later the situation was “100%” resolved in his mind, and he wanted to “get past this and get back to baseball,” and he met with both players.

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AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins contributed to this report.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb