Just when you thought the MLB offseason couldn't get any more dramatic, the Detroit Tigers swooped in and signed Framber Valdez to a staggering three-year, $115 million contract—right on the heels of Tarik Skubal's arbitration hearing. Talk about a curveball! This move not only shakes up the Tigers' plans but leaves several teams scrambling for a Plan B in the pitching market. But here's where it gets controversial: Was Valdez truly worth the highest AAV ever for a left-handed pitcher, or did the Tigers overpay? Let’s dive into the backup plans for the Orioles, Braves, and others who missed out on Valdez, and explore the alternatives that could still make waves this season.
Valdez was the last big-name pitcher left in free agency, and despite concerns about his age and personality, he landed a deal that turned heads. Now, teams that were eyeing him are forced to pivot. Here’s how they might respond:
Pittsburgh Pirates: Brayan Bello
The Pirates entered the Valdez sweepstakes late and came up empty-handed. Their backup plan? Brayan Bello of the Red Sox. At just 25, Bello offers a similar ground-ball-heavy profile to Valdez but at a fraction of the cost. With a 3.35 ERA and 1.24 WHIP last season, Bello is under team control through 2029 for less than $10 million annually. But here’s the kicker: His expected ERA was 4.48, raising questions about his sustainability. Still, his increased cutter usage and newfound confidence make him a solid bet for Pittsburgh’s rotation.
Toronto Blue Jays: Kris Bubic
The Blue Jays already have a stacked rotation, but adding Kris Bubic could be a bold statement. Bubic, coming off a career year with a 2.55 ERA and 24.4% strikeout rate, is on an expiring contract. The Royals won’t let him go cheaply, but Toronto’s deep pockets and desperation to compete make this a plausible move. The question is: Are the Jays willing to pay the price for a pitcher who’s never topped 130 innings in a season?
Atlanta Braves: Chris Bassitt
The Braves’ rotation looks solid, but injuries have been their Achilles’ heel. Chris Bassitt, a durable veteran with four straight seasons of 30-plus starts, could be the answer. While he’s not as consistent as Valdez, Bassitt’s bendy slider and offspeed arsenal make him a reliable option. But is a one-year, budget-friendly deal enough to offset his game-to-game variance?
San Francisco Giants: Sandy Alcántara
The Giants could take a gamble on Sandy Alcántara, who’s coming off a rough season but just two years removed from winning the NL Cy Young. His 5.36 ERA last year is alarming, but his velocity remained strong post-elbow surgery. The big question: Would the Marlins actually trade him, and can Alcántara regain his elite form?
San Diego Padres: Justin Verlander
The Padres are financially strapped, but Justin Verlander could be a low-risk, high-reward option. At 41, Verlander posted a 3.85 ERA last season and proved he can still eat innings. But is signing a future Hall of Famer the right move for a team that needs to get younger?
Baltimore Orioles: Zac Gallen
The Orioles were favorites to land Valdez, so missing out stings. Zac Gallen, despite a shaky 4.83 ERA last season, offers durability and upside. Just two years removed from a Cy Young runner-up finish, Gallen could thrive in Baltimore. But can he bounce back, and is he enough to push the O’s deep into October?
What do you think? Did the Tigers make the right call with Valdez, or did they overpay? Which backup plan is most likely to pay off? Let us know in the comments!
