00:00A decade ago, Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski built Detroit's last
00:06super rotation with that trade deadline deal to bring David Price from Tampa Bay,
00:10think about that group, Price joining Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello and
00:16Anibal Sanchez. To this day, that collection of arms has combined for eight Cy Young Awards,
00:2222 All-Star selections, seven World Series titles, and 246.1 career BWR,
00:28Price said it best back then. This staff, there's five leaders, I guess if Rick Porcello is our five,
00:34that's pretty remarkable. Now none of those World Series rings were won in Detroit,
00:39that 2014 rotation did power the team to a fourth straight AL Central crown, but roster flaws and a
00:46cold offensive stretch led to a three-game division series sweep by Baltimore. Still, the Price trade
00:52was a crucial move, both for the 2014 push and his insurance for 2015, when Max Scherzer was expected
00:59to leave in free agency. Fast forward more than 10 years, and this week's reported agreement with
01:05former Astros ace, Frambois Valdez, a three-year, $115 million deal, pending a physical, has a similar
01:12feeling. Pairing Valdez with back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarek Skubal gives Detroit a 1-2 pitching punch
01:19that can match up with anyone in baseball. While the full 2026 rotation might not reach the historic
01:26peak of 2014, it's a formidable group. Three All-Stars, a couple of World Series champions,
01:33and six pitchers with postseason starting experience. Just as importantly, Valdez's deal
01:38locks in a rotation certainty for next year. Consider this. Skubal, Jack Flaherty, and Casey Mize
01:45are all eligible for free agency next winter. Drew Anderson could join them if the team declines
01:50his $10 million option. The Tigers might face a near-total rotation rebuild for 2027, but with
01:56Valdez, they'd have a premium starting point. So, with this surprising signing, let's break down what
02:02it means for our Tigers. What makes Frambois Valdez so appealing to Detroit? He's the definition of a
02:09durable innings eater. Over the last four seasons, he's averaged 30 starts in just under 192 innings
02:14per year. In 2024, he completed seven or more innings in 12 of his 31 starts. He's an elite
02:20ground ball inducer. Since 2019, according to Baseball Savant, his ground ball rate has ranked
02:28in the 91st percentile or better every single year. His sinker sits 94 to 95 miles per hour with above
02:36average drop, and his curveball has tremendous movement. What does the 2026 rotation look like
02:41now? The one-two punches set. Valdez and Skubal. They're followed by Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize.
02:47That fifth spot will be a fascinating spring training competition. Reese Olsen is expected back from a
02:53shoulder strain that ended his 24 season, but the Tigers have depth. Drew Anderson can start or
02:58relieve. Top prospect Troy Melton could be an option, though they may choose to stretch him out in
03:03AAA Toledo as the first line of defense against injuries. What does this mean for Tarek Skubal's
03:08future? Short term, Skubal just won his arbitration case and will earn $32 million this season.
03:15Valdez's reported average annual value of $38.3 million means Detroit would have just over $70
03:23million committed to two starting pitchers in 2026. Even with that, the team's projected payroll,
03:30according to Spotrack, would be around $229 million, 11th in the majors and roughly $14.74 million
03:38under the first luxury tax threshold. They can carry both without penalty. Long term, Valdez provides
03:45a front-line starter for 2027 if the Tigers can't extend Skubal and he departs in free agency.
03:51Alongside Flaherty and Mize, help could come from within, with prospects like Troy Melton and Jackson
03:57Jobe, who's rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, potentially being ready. But remember, several
04:02key bats like Riley Green, Spencer Torkelson, and Kerry Carpenter will be entering their arbitration
04:08years. Adding to the financial puzzle, it's a major commitment that signals a clear intent to compete
04:13now, while also strategically guarding against future uncertainty. So Tigers fans, what's your level
04:19of confidence in this new-look rotation heading into next season?
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