Framber Valdez is making headlines with his new three-year, $115 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, as reported by Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic. Valdez was a top free agent, initially projected to secure an even larger deal. He turned down a $22 million offer from the Houston Astros back in November, leading the Tigers to forfeit a draft pick for his signing.
What sets Valdez apart is his impressive durability. In his eight-year career, he has only been on the injured list twice. He consistently pitches deep into games, throwing over 192 innings in three of the last four seasons. In 2022, he ranked fifth in the American League Cy Young Award voting, showcasing his talent.
Since becoming a full-time starter in 2020, Valdez has posted a 3.23 ERA over 973 innings. Only four pitchers have thrown more innings than him during that time, and among them, only Zack Wheeler has a lower ERA. Valdez also made two All-Star teams and regularly appears in the top ten of Cy Young voting.
His pitching arsenal includes a powerful sinker, leading to a remarkable 61.5% ground-ball rate—the highest among qualified starters. Valdez’s approach has shifted since his early days; he now blends a wicked curveball with a changeup that keeps hitters off-balance.
In high-stakes situations, Valdez shines. He has a 4.24 ERA in 85 postseason innings, including a standout performance in Game 6 of the 2022 World Series where he allowed just one run over six innings.
Valdez is working on maintaining his composure during intense moments, often collaborating with the Astros’ sports psychologist to better control his emotions. Recent controversies, like a mishap during a game with catcher César Salazar, have drawn public scrutiny. Despite this, many in the baseball community, including Astros manager Joe Espada, praise his work ethic and resilience.
In fact, a survey conducted by The Athletic found that a significant percentage of players respect Valdez for his dedication on and off the field. His reputation remains strong, showing that one incident doesn’t define his career.
As the Tigers welcome Valdez to their roster, they’re banking on his reliability and effectiveness as they aim for a successful season.
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Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, MLB
