Framber Valdez is heading to Detroit on a massive deal. The Dominican right-hander agreed to a 3-year, $115 million contract with the Tigers covering the 2026–2028 seasons, making him the highest-paid pitcher in Tigers history. After a decade in Houston as a cornerstone of the Astros‘ rotation, Valdez hits the open market and lands at the top of Detroit’s payroll — a clear sign the Tigers are serious about their competitive window.
The Contract at a Glance
- Team: Detroit Tigers
- Length: 3 years
- Seasons: 2026–2028
- Total guaranteed value: $115 million
- Average annual value: $38.3 million
- Signing bonus: $20 million
How the Deal Is Structured
The contract pays Valdez $37.5 million in both 2026 and 2027, then $35 million in 2028. His $20 million signing bonus is fully deferred, with payments beginning in 2030 — a structure that softens the immediate luxury-tax hit for Detroit while keeping every dollar guaranteed for Valdez.
The deal also includes a mutual option for 2029 worth $40 million, with a $5 million buyout if it isn’t exercised. On top of that, Valdez can earn additional money through award escalators tied to Cy Young and Postseason MVP votes.
To complete the signing, the Tigers surrendered their 2026 third-round draft pick to assume Houston’s qualifying offer.
The Fine Print
Valdez holds an opt-out after the 2027 season, giving him the flexibility to re-enter free agency if he’s pitching at an elite level — or if Detroit isn’t living up to expectations. The deferred payments starting in 2030 are standard for contracts of this size: they let the team spread costs while the player locks in full security.
As a fully guaranteed contract, Valdez collects every dollar regardless of injury or performance — the gold standard of player protection in MLB.
Where Valdez Ranks Among the Highest-Paid Pitchers
- Ranking among active 2026 contracts by AAV: #7
- Average annual value: $38.3 million
At $38.3M per year, Valdez sits seventh among all active contracts in 2026 by average annual value, according to Spotrac and Baseball-Reference data as of August 11, 2026. He’s firmly in the elite tier of starting pitchers — though still below the $200M+ stratosphere occupied by the game’s biggest names. Rankings are based on total guaranteed value without discounting deferred money.
His Previous Contracts
- Houston Astros, 2015: $10,000 international signing bonus
- Houston Astros, 2022–2025: Arbitration-based salaries (exact figures not public)
Valdez’s journey is a remarkable one. He signed with Houston in 2015 for just $10,000 as an international amateur. Over the next decade, he developed into one of the American League’s best starters, earning his raises through arbitration without ever landing a major free-agent deal — until now. The leap from a $10,000 signing bonus to the richest contract in Tigers history tells you everything about how far he’s come.
Career Earnings
Adding it all up: $115 million in guaranteed MLB money. That figure covers base salaries and signing bonuses from MLB contracts only — it does not include endorsements or any earnings outside the United States.
