What does Framber Valdez's $115 million contract mean for Tigers' Tarik Skubal? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Tigers went out and made a major free agent splash, agreeing to a huge deal with former Houston Astros lefty Framber Valdez.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to Jeff Passan of ESPN, this deal is a major one, coming in at three years, $115 million, or $38.3 million per-year. Valdez is getting a massive upgrade, and with this deal, the Tigers' rotation comes into focus.
But, how will this massive financial commitment to a lefty starting pitcher impact Tarik Skubal? There are a few angles this could be taken from, both good and bad, but overall, there is slightly more concern than there is hope.
How does Tigers agreeing to deal with Framber Valdez impact Tarik Skubal?
According to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, the Tigers agreed to this deal without knowing the arbitration hearing for Skubal, which took place before they made their massive Valdez commitment.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSkubal's arbitration hearing had no bearing on the Tigers' decision to break the bank for Valdez. That alone is a good sign for the Tigers keeping Skubal.
Having two dominant lefties like Valdez and Skubal will make the Tigers' rotation one of the most feared in baseball. Add on Casey Mize, Jack Flaherty, and any other starter at the fifth spot, and the Tigers' rotation is World Series caliber.
Would the Tigers spend so much, $115 million over three years with an opt-out after the second season, on Valdez and immediately trade away Skubal?
It's not out of the realm of possibility, but if the Tigers are willing to spend nearly $40 million per-year on Valdez, surely they would be more than willing to spend $30 million or so on Skubal, right?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis is not a small financial commitment from the Tigers. It's hard to believe that after agreeing to this deal, winning over the fanbase, the Tigers would instantly trade Skubal.
More: MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2025 free agency
But Valdez could justifiably be the short and long-term replacement for Skubal. Trading him now won't instantly make the team worse, and if they land some great assets from a team in a trade, dealing Skubal could make the team better.
Valdez can fill the team's "ace" role in 2026, one that Skubal would've easily filled. But, even if trading him away for a haul and letting Valdez take over makes sense on paper, it's hard to come to terms with such a decision after the jubilation of spending on Valdez.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Tigers should go all-in this season, their final year with Skubal under contract at a reasonable amount. His new deal will almost certainly reach above $40 million per-year, and now, the Tigers have an answer for the 2027 season.
But, for at least one year, the Tigers should go for it all with Valdez and Skubal atop the rotation. There might not be a better 1-2 punch in MLB, and it's something the Tigers shouldn't give up on now that they've broken the bank for Valdez.
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