Tarik Skubal-Framber Valdez Pairing Excites MLB Fans, Updated Tigers Rotation, Payroll

The Detroit Tigers bolstered their rotation on Wednesday by signing star pitcher Framber Valdez to a three-year contract worth $115 million, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

With Valdez now joining Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, fans were excited for the duo.

Here's a look at Detroit's updated starting rotation.

Detroit Tigers 2026 Rotation

• Tarik Skubal
• Framber Valdez
• Jack Flaherty
• Casey Mize
• Reese Olson

The Tigers are spending big as they attempt to clinch a third consecutive postseason appearance, as they rank No. 11 among all MLB teams with a projected payroll of $202 million in 2026 (via FanGraphs).

Detroit was able to acquire Valdez over several other interested teams, as he was linked to the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets and San Francisco Giants earlier in free agency.

The Pittsburgh Pirates were also "aggressive" in pursuing him, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Valdez spent each of the first eight years of his MLB career with the Houston Astros, earning two All-Star nods. He also finished No. 5 in American League Cy Young Award voting for the 2022 season.

During Valdez's 2025 campaign, he posted a 13-11 record in 31 starts while compiling a 3.66 ERA to go along with 1.245 WHIP. He racked up 187 strikeouts to go along with 68 walks in 192 innings of work.

Opposing batters hit just .238 against Valdez.

As for Skubal, his contract situation should gain some more clarity soon after he went to a salary arbitration hearing on Wednesday. A decision is expected to come on Thursday, according to the Associated Press.

In the meantime, Valdez gives Detroit one of the AL's most imposing rotations with Opening Day approaching.