Overview
- ESPN reports the 32-year-old left-hander has an agreement with Detroit worth $115 million over three years, setting a new AAV mark for his peer groups.
- The Athletic reports the contract includes deferrals and an opt-out after the second season.
- Because Valdez declined Houston’s $22.025 million qualifying offer, the Astros will receive a compensatory draft pick after Competitive Balance Round B.
- MLB.com notes the Tigers had not officially announced the agreement at the time of reporting.
- Detroit adds a frontline, groundball-heavy workhorse alongside Tarik Skubal after Valdez logged 192 innings with a 3.66 ERA in 2025, though his second half dipped to a 5.20 ERA.