The Tigers are evaluating Framber Valdez for a massive $115 million free agent contract

The Detroit Tigers sent shockwaves through the pitching market and the AL Central on Wednesday night, making their intentions unmistakably clear. Detroit finalized one of the boldest pitching deals in recent MLB history, agreeing to a three-year, $115 million contract with Framber Valdez— decisive a move that reshapes the Tigers’ rotation looks and signals full scale to win now entering the 2026 season.

Juga arrives in the Motor City at the age of 32 after turning down a qualifying offer from the Houston Astros earlier in the offseason. The Tigers committed to a record average annual value of $38.33 million, the most ever for a left-handed pitcher. The structure includes a $20 million signing bonus, deferred money and player waivers after the 2027 season, creating flexibility while keeping the competitive framework tightly aligned for both sides.

From the perspective of Tigers, contract gets a B+ grade. Detroit avoided the long-term risk that often burdens rotation costs while securing a high-floor starter that provides durability and stability. Valdez logged 192 innings in 2025 and reached 30 starts for the third time in four seasons. That workload directly addresses the recent workload and amplifies it The Tigers’ rotation behind ace Tarik Skubal.

Timing is critical. Skubal is entering his final year team control, and the Tigers have made it clear that maximizing that window has become a priority. Combining Skubal’s swing and miss with Valdez’s elite approach to the ball creates a complementary left-handed tandem that few AL Central contenders can match. The veteran left-hander led the entire AL with a 58.6 percent slugging percentage in the 2025 season, a skill set that plays well at Comerica Park and reduces home run volatility.

Financially, the Tigers accepted the draft-pick penalty associated with the qualifying offer, but gained security at the top of the rotation. Detroit now has two legitimate front-line starters without a six- or seven-year commitment that could complicate a future reset. That balance reflects a targeted investment, not a reckless one.

For Valdez, the grade is a clear A. The contract reflects a precisely executed market strategy. Instead of agreeing to a longer contract with reduced annual value, Valdez and his representative used the durability and recent workload to secure a monumental payout. His AAV of $38.33 million represents a 74 percent increase over the qualifying offer he declined, immediately confirming the risk.

Opt-out after 2027 onwards strengthens Valdez’s position. If the performance holds, he can re-enter the market at age 34 with a salary cap increase and renewed leverage. If not, the full warranty protects it from falling. That balance makes this one of the most player-friendly pitching deals in recent memory.

The signing reshapes the landscape of AL Central contenders heading into the 2026 season and beyond. The Tigers no longer project as a fringe contender, but as an established postseason club pushing for the next level in 2026, built around elite left-handed pitching. Detroit bet big, but it also bet smart, bolstering a roster that had already reached October in back-to-back seasons and positioning itself to move deeper into the postseason with one decisive move.