Framber Valdez Signs Record 3-Year, $115M Deal with Tigers

Framber Valdez, 32, signed a record-setting three-year, $115 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, including an opt-out after the second season. The $38.3 million average annual value is the highest ever for a left-handed pitcher, making him an instant ace alongside Tarik Skubal. The Tigers will surrender a draft pick. Valdez brings championship experience from six seasons with the Astros, including the 2022 World Series. He earned All-Star nods in 2022-23 and finished top 10 in Cy Young voting for a third straight season in 2024, posting a 3.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 187:68 K:BB over 192 innings. He has thrown over 175 innings in each of the last four seasons with an ERA under 3.70 for six straight seasons.