The Toronto Blue Jays had joined the Pirates, Orioles, and Giants as teams linked to top free agent Framber Valdez in recent days. However, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Detroit Tigers have reached an agreement with Framber Valdez on a three-year contract worth $115 million. There are deferrals in the deal, and it includes an opt-out after the second year.
This report means the Blue Jays miss out on another targeted starter in free agency, but this is huge news for the Tigers, who are in the midst of an arbitration hearing with Tarik Skubal. Well, this signing makes things dicier with Skubal, because Detroit just showed they are willing to spend top dollar on a southpaw starter.
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Tigers Unexpectedly Land Framber Valdez
According to all the reports, the Detroit Tigers did not seem to be in the running for Framber Valdez. Even with Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman’s report of the Blue Jays being interested in Framber, that was more so thought to put pressure on the Giants or Orioles to make a deal.
But it turns out, none of the MLB insiders and reporters had the scoop on Valdez, because now he and Skubal likely form the best 1-2 starter duo in MLB.
GettyThe Detroit Tigers land Framber Valdez
That’s also not mentioning how many said Valdez’s incident with backup catcher Cesar Sanchez would play a role in his free agency. It might have a little bit, but after several months have passed, it seems that it will be left in the past.
Valdez is a two-time All-Star starter and had always been thought to be the second-best starter originally available, behind Dylan Cease, who signed with the Blue Jays.
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Where Do Blue Jays Go From Here?
Now that the Blue Jays have missed out on Valdez, they don’t have to necessarily go out and impulsively add a starter. Toronto still has one of the best rotations as of right now in MLB.
With names like Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, Dylan Cease, and Cody Ponce, the Blue Jays are actually one of the few teams in baseball who actually NEED a starter.
So while it stings for a second to miss out on a high-profile free agent, Toronto could target another infield bat to help replace the missing production of Bo Bichette.
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Report: Blue Jays Get Framber Valdez Decision as Tigers News Emerges