The Tigers have secured a three-year, $115 million contract with left-handed starter Framber Valdez, plus a $20 million signing bonus. This deal, worth an average annual salary of $38.3 million, is the largest ever given to a left-handed pitcher. The contract includes deferrals and an opt-out after the second year, pending a physical examination. With this acquisition, the Tigers are bolstering their starting rotation with Valdez, joining Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, and Casey Mize. However, the Tigers will lose a draft pick in the fourth round next season due to Valdez's decision not to accept the Astros' qualifying offer. Valdez, a two-time All-Star, has established himself as a top-of-the-rotation workhorse with a 3.23 ERA over 973 innings since 2020. His pitching repertoire includes a 94-mph sinker, curveball, and changeup, resulting in a 59% groundball rate and a 43.7% whiff rate with his curveball last season. The Tigers' new starting rotation is now formidable, with Valdez's addition to an already strong lineup.
