Valdez to the Tigers, per reports

MLB Rumors: Framber Valdez and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to terms on a three year, $115 million deal, per reports. The deal includes a $20 million signing bonus, deferrals, and an opt out after year two.

Valdez, 32, was the last big time free agent who was still unsigned. There had been rumors in the last day or so that the Pittsburgh Pirates were in on him, though it was speculated that there was the possibility that the Pirates’ interest was being used to squeeze another suitor.

Since the start of 2020, Valdez has a 3.23 ERA, 3.36 FIP and 128 ERA+ in 973 innings. The addition of Valdez gives the Tigers a quality #2 starter to slot behind Tarik Skubal, who is in his final year of arbitration-eligibility after winning the Cy Young Award the past two seasons. Skubal and Valdez are both lefties, which would present a particular challenge in a postseason series for a team with a lefty-heavy lineup.