Tigers won't keep Tarik Skubal. Signing Framber Valdez seizes opportunity now and later. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY February 6, 2026 at 3:55 AM 0 The Detroit Tigers are wellpositioned to triumph in the land of the indifferent. All it took was one handshake with Framber Valdez and a shortterm commitment to the lefthander to ensure the 2026 Tigers will be significant favorites in the American League Central, where five teams worth a combined $8 billion typically engage in an annual ritual of seeing who can do less.
- - Tigers won't keep Tarik Skubal. Signing Framber Valdez seizes opportunity now and later.
Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY February 6, 2026 at 3:55 AM
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The Detroit Tigers are well-positioned to triumph in the land of the indifferent.
All it took was one handshake with Framber Valdez and a short-term commitment to the left-hander to ensure the 2026 Tigers will be significant favorites in the American League Central, where five teams worth a combined $8 billion typically engage in an annual ritual of seeing who can do less.
The Tigers decided to zag: While the modern fan has been conditioned into the loser mindset of "you better trade a guy before you get nothing," Detroit instead took the more appropriate tack of surrounding Tarik Skubal with another elite arm in his almost certainly final year in Motown.
And they even locked up a replacement when he walks. Novel, isn't it?
In signing Valdez to a three-year, $115.5 million contract, the Tigers immediately trot out the AL's most dominant 1-2 punch, a duo perhaps rivaled in Boston or Toronto or Seattle but still can't match the raw dominance of possessing the game's most dominant pitchers and also one of its rocks.
Framber Valdez is signing with the Detroit Tigers.
Skubal's greatness is well-documented. Valdez's is a little sneakier, his greatest value coming in the 180 to 200 excellent innings he typically provides every season. Lest we forget, he was the lead blocker in the 2022 Astros' push to the World Series title, going 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA, the Astros winning all four of his starts.
Certainly, a late-season kerfuffle involving his catcher might have dampened his value on the market a tad, but that's the Tigers' gain. And besides, his $38.3 million deal is still the largest per annum for a left-handed free agent.
You'd think stretching for a free agent prize might be out of the Tigers' realm. Then again, memories are short, and baseball's bean counters seem to like it this way.
This is a franchise that once extended future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander on a $202 million deal and also fellow Cooperstown lock Miguel Cabrera on a $292 million pact. Amid all that, they saw fit to sign free agent pitcher Jordan Zimmermann to a five-year, $110 million deal.
$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/sr0QFwh class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
">$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
" src=https://ift.tt/sr0QFwh class=caas-img>$700,000,000: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-33)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/o4MdVTf class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$700,000,000: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-33)
">$700,000,000: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-33)
" src=https://ift.tt/o4MdVTf class=caas-img>$500,000,000: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (2026-39)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/dgiVIT9 class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$500,000,000: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (2026-39)
">$500,000,000: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (2026-39)
" src=https://ift.tt/dgiVIT9 class=caas-img>$426.5 million: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (2019-2030)* includes extension
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6scLZ9U class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$426.5 million: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (2019-2030)* includes extension
">$426.5 million: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (2019-2030)* includes extension
" src=https://ift.tt/6scLZ9U class=caas-img>$365 million: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-32)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/hDXEn1H class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$365 million: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-32)
">$365 million: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-32)
" src=https://ift.tt/hDXEn1H class=caas-img>$360 million: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (2023-2031)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/i9GkLn7 class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$360 million: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (2023-2031)
">$360 million: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (2023-2031)
" src=https://ift.tt/i9GkLn7 class=caas-img>$350 million: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2siQnS5 class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$350 million: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
">$350 million: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
" src=https://ift.tt/2siQnS5 class=caas-img>$341 million: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (2022-31)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HbpQWuv class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$341 million: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (2022-31)
">$341 million: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (2022-31)
" src=https://ift.tt/HbpQWuv class=caas-img>$340 million: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (2021-34)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yCM8aSu class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$340 million: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (2021-34)
">$340 million: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (2021-34)
" src=https://ift.tt/yCM8aSu class=caas-img>$330,000,000: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (2019-31)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1kKCfSx class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$330,000,000: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (2019-31)
">$330,000,000: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (2019-31)
" src=https://ift.tt/1kKCfSx class=caas-img>$325 million: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins (2015-2027) – traded to New York Yankees in 2017
" data-src=https://ift.tt/68gcWOF class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$325 million: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins (2015-2027) – traded to New York Yankees in 2017
">$325 million: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins (2015-2027) – traded to New York Yankees in 2017
" src=https://ift.tt/68gcWOF class=caas-img>$325 million: Corey Seager, Texas Rangers (2022-31)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/h0Qtx2a class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$325 million: Corey Seager, Texas Rangers (2022-31)
">$325 million: Corey Seager, Texas Rangers (2022-31)
" src=https://ift.tt/h0Qtx2a class=caas-img>$325,000,000: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-35)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ofPCK8k class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$325,000,000: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-35)
">$325,000,000: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-35)
" src=https://ift.tt/ofPCK8k class=caas-img>$313.5 million: Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox (2024-33) - traded to San Francisco Giants in 2025
" data-src=https://ift.tt/87WiGIg class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$313.5 million: Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox (2024-33) - traded to San Francisco Giants in 2025
">$313.5 million: Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox (2024-33) - traded to San Francisco Giants in 2025
" src=https://ift.tt/87WiGIg class=caas-img>$300 million: Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies (2023-33)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/52NiRcI class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$300 million: Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies (2023-33)
">$300 million: Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies (2023-33)
" src=https://ift.tt/52NiRcI class=caas-img>$292 million: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (2014-2023)* includes extension
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fjz2AnH class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$292 million: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (2014-2023)* includes extension
">$292 million: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (2014-2023)* includes extension
" src=https://ift.tt/fjz2AnH class=caas-img>$288,777,777: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (2024-34)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Dkm7OrR class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$288,777,777: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (2024-34)
">$288,777,777: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (2024-34)
" src=https://ift.tt/Dkm7OrR class=caas-img>$280 million: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xd9yz7F class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$280 million: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
">$280 million: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
" src=https://ift.tt/xd9yz7F class=caas-img>$275 million: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (2008-2017)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/iqrlkTS class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$275 million: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (2008-2017)
">$275 million: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (2008-2017)
" src=https://ift.tt/iqrlkTS class=caas-img>$260 million: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies (2019-26) - traded to St. Louis Cardinals in 2021, traded to Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026
" data-src=https://ift.tt/g7qvJkD class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$260 million: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies (2019-26) - traded to St. Louis Cardinals in 2021, traded to Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026
">$260 million: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies (2019-26) - traded to St. Louis Cardinals in 2021, traded to Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026
" src=https://ift.tt/g7qvJkD class=caas-img>$252,000,000: Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers (2001-10)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ei37pS6 class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$252,000,000: Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers (2001-10)
">$252,000,000: Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers (2001-10)
" src=https://ift.tt/ei37pS6 class=caas-img>$245 million: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals (2020-26)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/g5KuTfr class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$245 million: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals (2020-26)
">$245 million: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals (2020-26)
" src=https://ift.tt/g5KuTfr class=caas-img>$245 million: Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels (2020-26)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/d86EyRC class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$245 million: Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels (2020-26)
">$245 million: Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels (2020-26)
" src=https://ift.tt/d86EyRC class=caas-img>$240,000,000: Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers (2026-29)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Wbx83jY class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$240,000,000: Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers (2026-29)
">$240,000,000: Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers (2026-29)
" src=https://ift.tt/Wbx83jY class=caas-img>$240 million: Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pIhq3s8 class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$240 million: Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021)
">$240 million: Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021)
" src=https://ift.tt/pIhq3s8 class=caas-img>$240 million: Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners (2014-2023) – traded to New York Mets in 2019
" data-src=https://ift.tt/U3lo6iy class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$240 million: Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners (2014-2023) – traded to New York Mets in 2019
">$240 million: Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners (2014-2023) – traded to New York Mets in 2019
" src=https://ift.tt/U3lo6iy class=caas-img>$225 million: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds (2012-2021)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Hu1IgMO class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$225 million: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds (2012-2021)
">$225 million: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds (2012-2021)
" src=https://ift.tt/Hu1IgMO class=caas-img>
$217 million: David Price, Boston Red Sox (2016-2022) – traded to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020
" data-src=https://ift.tt/sKqi3yg class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$217 million: David Price, Boston Red Sox (2016-2022) – traded to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020
">$217 million: David Price, Boston Red Sox (2016-2022) – traded to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020
" src=https://ift.tt/sKqi3yg class=caas-img>$215 million: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-2020)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lJ1iCAT class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$215 million: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-2020)
">$215 million: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-2020)
" src=https://ift.tt/lJ1iCAT class=caas-img>$215 million: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers (2020-28)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8o9z5UV class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$215 million: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers (2020-28)
">$215 million: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers (2020-28)
" src=https://ift.tt/8o9z5UV class=caas-img>$214 million: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (2012-2020) – traded to Texas Rangers in 2013
" data-src=https://ift.tt/IyArUYs class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$214 million: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (2012-2020) – traded to Texas Rangers in 2013
">$214 million: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (2012-2020) – traded to Texas Rangers in 2013
" src=https://ift.tt/IyArUYs class=caas-img>$212 million: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (2023-32)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EPAkVpu class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$212 million: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (2023-32)
">$212 million: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (2023-32)
" src=https://ift.tt/EPAkVpu class=caas-img>$210 million: Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks (2025-30)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/43E6wYs class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$210 million: Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks (2025-30)
">$210 million: Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks (2025-30)
" src=https://ift.tt/43E6wYs class=caas-img>$210 million: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (2015-2021)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rFnCo1b class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$210 million: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (2015-2021)
">$210 million: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (2015-2021)
" src=https://ift.tt/rFnCo1b class=caas-img>$209.3 million: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (2023-34)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/nH1DqLp class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$209.3 million: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (2023-34)
">$209.3 million: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (2023-34)
" src=https://ift.tt/nH1DqLp class=caas-img>$206.5 million: Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks (2016-2021) – traded to Houston Astros in 2019
" data-src=https://ift.tt/SAGwtye class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$206.5 million: Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks (2016-2021) – traded to Houston Astros in 2019
">$206.5 million: Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks (2016-2021) – traded to Houston Astros in 2019
" src=https://ift.tt/SAGwtye class=caas-img>
$200 million: Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins (2023-28) - traded to Houston Astros in 2025
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Mk8YVQg class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$200 million: Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins (2023-28) - traded to Houston Astros in 2025
">$200 million: Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins (2023-28) - traded to Houston Astros in 2025
" src=https://ift.tt/Mk8YVQg class=caas-img>
1 / 39MLB's $200+ million contracts
$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
That came in November 2015. Have baseball's revenues increased since then? (Don't answer that).
The Tigers played the Verlander situation perfectly, trading him when they realized a down cycle was imminent. And unlike Skubal, Verlander had two to three years of club control remaining when he was dealt to Houston.
Detroit's franchise-altering return haul? Franklin Perez, Daz Cameron and Jake Rogers.
While Tigers owner Chris Illitch is not nearly as win-now as father Mike once was, the basic fact remains: A dollar goes a long way in the Central. This is a division where the biggest-market team (Chicago) has never spent more than $75 million on a free agent, where Cleveland likes to pretend any star unwilling to sign a below-market extension must hit the trading block after three years, where Kansas City will nip around the edges until strong-arming any municipality that will have them into a new ballpark, where Minnesota takes on new investors and rotates family members as "control people" and overturns its front office as if it doesn't have the greatest ballpark in the division.
No, opportunity is ripe and as we know, consistent access to the playoffs is the most important piece to winning a World Series. Signing Valdez - who can opt out of his deal after the 2027 season - and pairing him with Skubal almost guarantees the Tigers an October ticket, and a favorable set-up when they get there.
Even if it's just one year, what an opportunity. And the Tigers can always come back and reassemble after Skubal leaves. The door should still be left wide open.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tigers' Framber Valdez-Tarik Skubal duo equals World Series contention
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: February 05, 2026 at 08:27PM on Source: MANUEL MAG
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