Framber Valdez signed a historic three-year, $115 million contract with the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, ending the left-handed pitcher’s months of waiting to find his next club. 

The deal has the highest average annual value ($38.3 million) for a lefty in Major League history. Valdez’s top discussed destinations included the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles, but a surprise AL Central team was reportedly in the mix. 

According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the Minnesota Twins showed interest in the two-time All-Star. 

Twins inquired about Valdez 

“The Orioles, Blue Jays, and even the Twins were on Valdez, per source,” Rogers wrote on X. “Tigers get him as they await arb decision on Skubal.” 

Minnesota has made only minor moves this offseason, signing Josh Bell and Victor Caratini while avoiding arbitration with ace Joe Ryan. A fourth-place finish in last year’s AL Central standings set them up for a major trade deadline, shipping out 10 players in one week. 

Valdez would’ve had to accept a move to a rebuilding club that has not come close to the postseason the previous two years. He was very used to winning with the Houston Astros, as a member of their 2022 World Series champion club. 

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