"Valdez hit free agency after spending his whole career with the Houston Astros and putting up one of the best resumes of any starting pitcher over the past five seasons. He's a dependable lefty with extensive playoff experience who has regularly posted ERAs in the high 2s to mid-3s, averaging 3.20 since 2021, and that mark is driven by the highest ground ball rate in the league among starters in that span."
"Since 2020, when he became a full-time starter, Valdez is tied for first in the majors in wins (73), is sixth in pitcher WAR (20.3), fifth in innings pitched (973) and first in groundball rate (62%). He led the American League with 201 1/3 innings pitched in 2022 and perennially has one of the most effective sinkers in baseball, ranking second this season behind Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez."
"Valdez is also tied for first in baseball in a number of postseason-only categories: wins (7), games started (16) and innings pitched (85.0). He has made two All-Star appearances, received AL MVP votes in two seasons, and received AL Cy Young award votes in four races, peaking at a fifth-place finish in 2022. Valdez has spent his whole professional career with the Astros, signing as an international free agent in 2015, making his big league debut in 2018, and winning a World Series in 2022."
Framber Valdez agreed to a three-year, $115 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, receiving the highest average annual value ever for a left-handed and for a Latin American pitcher. Valdez averaged a 3.20 ERA since 2021, led starters with a 62% ground-ball rate since 2020, and has been durable with 973 innings and 73 wins since 2020. He tied for first in several postseason categories and has multiple All-Star appearances plus Cy Young and MVP votes. Valdez declined a $22.025 million qualifying offer from Houston, which will receive a compensatory draft pick.
Read at ESPN.com
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