Detroit Tigers sign Framber Valdez to 3-year, $115 million contract...

The Detroit Tigers made a big splash in free agency. The Tigers signed left-hander Framber Valdez on Wednesday, Feb. 4, to a three-year, $115 million contract with an opt-out clause after the 2027 season, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. The 32-year-old rejected the one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer from the Houston Astros in November, which means the Tigers will forfeit a draft pick to sign him. The deal is pending a physical. NOW, WE WAIT: Tarik Skubal, Tigers await arbitration decision after hearing In 2025, Valdez registered a 3.66 ERA with 68 walks (8.5% walk rate) and 187 strikeouts (23.3% strikeout rate) across 192 innings in 31 starts for the Houston Astros, where he spent the first eight years of his MLB career — and his entire professional career, signing with the Astros as an international free agent in 2015. He made his MLB debut in August 2018. Valdez – a two-time All-Star and 2022 World Series champion – has a relationship with Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who managed the Astros from 2015-19. By signing Valdez, the Tigers have formed one of the best one-two punches in atop a starting rotation, if not the best pairing. Left-handers Tarik Skubal and Valdez are set to lead the rotation, which also features right-hander Jack Flaherty. It won't last long. Three starters – Skubal, Flaherty and right-hander Casey Mize – are set to become free agents after the 2026 season, leaving Valdez, right-hander Reese Olson, right-hander Jackson Jobe and right-hander Troy Melton as the projected starters for 2027. Valdez has thrown at least 175 innings in each of the past four seasons, including a career-high 201⅓ innings in 2022 en route to a fifth place finish in American League Cy Young voting. Here's another positive: Valdez has been on the injured list just twice in his MLB career. This story will be updated. Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon during the season and Tuesday afternoon during the offseason on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.