The Detroit Tigers could soon shock baseball fans by signing one of the top remaining free agents. Detroit has been fairly quiet so far this offseason after coming within one game of the 2025 American League Championship Series. Relatively minor moves for pitchers Kenley Jansen and Kyle Finnegan have been the most lucrative contracts of the winter.
Much of Detroit’s offseason has instead revolved around the future of Tarik Skubal. The Cy Young winner is set to enter his final year under contract and could be traded at some point in 2026. Nevertheless, the Tigers may add a marquee starting pitcher to give Skubal more support in the rotation.
Bleacher Report has specifically labeled Detroit as a dark-horse candidate to sign Framber Valdez. The former Houston Astro was previously named the top free agent pitcher in all of baseball by ESPN. The latter outlet even predicted that Valdez would fetch a six-year, $168 million ($28M AAV) contract with a new team. This lengthy deal, however, is now somewhat unlikely.
Valdez is now 32, and while he has been extremely durable, teams around the league are apparently balking at giving him a long-term contract. This is where the Tigers can swoop in. As Bleacher Report points out, Detroit could offer the veteran starter a shorter, but high AAV deal. The move would give the Tigers a much-needed number two pitcher behind Skubal, while also giving them an insurance policy should the Cy Young winner depart the team.
Detroit Tigers Have the Means to Make Bold Move for Framber Valdez
GettyFramber Valdez seems likely to settle for a shorter contract in free agency.
The potential move may seem far-fetched to some fans. Nonetheless, a somewhat similar deal was recently completed by the Astros. Tatsuya Imai was previously predicted to sign a long-term contract with a contending club this offseason. Several teams were heavily linked with the Japanese star this winter. Instead, Imai inked a shorter three-year, $54 million deal with Houston.
Similarly, Valdez is being chased by multiple clubs, including the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles. Both teams could use an upgrade in their rotation. While either club could still sign the starter in the coming days, a shorter deal seems more likely. The Mets specifically want to resist giving veteran pitchers long-term contracts.
Detroit also appears to have the money to afford an agreement with Valdez. Despite being an American League contender, the Tigers had the 17th-highest MLB payroll in 2025. The club has been heavily linked with other top free agents such as third baseman Alex Bregman and outfielder Harrison Bader.
Tigers Need a True Number Two Starting Pitcher
Potentially signing Valdez would fill a huge hole in Detroit’s rotation. Skubal would obviously be an ace on every other team in baseball, but there is a significant drop-off after that. Jack Flaherty is typically considered the club’s number two starter. Although the veteran is still capable, he led the league with 15 losses in 2025.
Skubal, on the other hand, led the league with a 6.5 WAR on the season. No other regular Tigers starter registered a figure higher than 1.7 in 2025. Skubal and Valdez (3.8 WAR) would give the Tigers an imposing one-two punch atop the rotation, even if it is just for one season.
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