Locked On MLB - Daily Podcast On Major League Baseball

ONE TWO PUNCH - Framber Valdez Joins Tarik Skubal On The Detroit Tigers

Feb 7, 2026
A new lefty signing shakes up Detroit’s rotation and sparks debate over pairing him with Tarik Skubal or moving on. Discussion covers durability, second-half concerns, and how the addition changes bullpen and lineup plans. The show revisits last season’s September collapse and weighs trade scenarios, contract choices, and the AL Central landscape. A brief tribute to Mickey Lolich closes the conversation.
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INSIGHT

Valdez Is A High-Inning Stabilizer

  • The Tigers signed Framber Valdez to a three-year deal that adds a high-inning, ground-ball lefty with strong postseason credentials.
  • Paul Francis Sullivan frames Valdez as a high-upside addition who can stabilize Detroit's rotation alongside Tarik Skubal.
INSIGHT

Rotation Depth Eases Young Star Pressure

  • Adding Valdez reduces pressure on Reese Olsen and Casey Mize by creating a stronger top of rotation.
  • Sullivan argues a good year from Skubal, Valdez, and Flaherty could make Detroit a serious contender.
INSIGHT

Late Collapse Points To Pitching Risks

  • Detroit's late-season collapse last year highlights starting pitching as a likely root cause.
  • Sullivan warns that adding Valdez addresses that weakness but carries risks if performance declines.
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