AJ Hinch is an old catcher bet he has some words for Framber

Maybe they'll see if his machismo for complete games can rub off on Tarik "I'm tired after 5 in the playoffs" Skubal

a very decent bag

$38 MM per season

as we always say...it only takes one

he should enjoy pitching in Comerica

Farmer1906 said:

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CharleyKerfeld said:

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Maybe they'll see if his machismo for complete games can rub off on Tarik "I'm tired after 5 in the playoffs" Skubal

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He has 39.2 innings in 6 postseason starts with a 2.04 ERA. What a strange take.

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He took himself out of Game 5 against Seattle after 6 innings and 99 pitches with a 2-1 lead.
The Mariners tied the game in the next inning against Detroit's bullpen. The Tigers lost the game in 15 innings and their season was over. I'd like an ace who refuses to come out of the game with the entire season in the balance when he knows how precipitous the drop-off is between him and the next man up.

The Tigers gave an excuse of being a "mutual decision" and he was "spent" but his last three pitches were 99.7, 99.1, and 100.9 to strike out Cal Raleigh.

This strikes me as an all in this year before Skubal walks move. Framber also gives them an extra year or two to bridge their next set of pitchers.

I wouldn't be surprised if Crane goes after Skubal for similar reasons next year. 2027 will be the last year of control with Pena, Paredes, Walker, and Javier. Add to that you really don't have anyone internally worth spending money on or extending for big $ and it's a formula for spending in free agency. While the length of the contract for Skubal will be uncomfortable, pitching is something Crane has always coveted and I could see him concluding an HB - Skubal 1-2 pinch is a path to winning playoff series.

Damn, that's a brutal indictment of Skubal. I want my ace to be just who he is....Hunter Brown

Framber's AAV is really high but that's to be expected when it's only 3 years. In reality he's only getting 30 M more than McCullers and 100 M less than Fried (excellent comp).

Farmer1906 said:

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Framber's AAV is really high but that's to be expected when it's only 3 years. In reality he's only getting 30 M more than McCullers and 100 M less than Fried (excellent comp).

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Thinking about it more -- the deal makes sense for the Tigers and Framber. He's 32. He'll be 35 by the end of it. He didn't get the long-term 6 year deal he wanted, but he's maximizing his value until he's 35. For the Tigers, they won't have a boat anchor of a contract when Framber is 36,37 and 38.

EastCoastAgNc said:

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The Astros will get a compensation pick for Framber Valdez at the end of the fourth round, so the Astros have all of their picks, plus the bonus pick for Hunter Brown's top 3 Cy Young finish, and a comp pick for Valdez. Most important draft they have had since 2015

— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 5, 2026

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Hope they draft a bunch of left handed batters.

Interesting analysis by Dallas Braden.

Calculated gamble by the Tigers? I think so. Ride the stallion as far as he’ll take you. If that finish line is the trade deadline you’re hoping for the best possible return. HOPING! 🤞If the finish line is a postseason run, try to make it as cheap as possible. Signing Framber… pic.twitter.com/Wfutstd4X4

— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) February 5, 2026

If Framber does well in Detroit he will probably opt out after 2027 assuming he isn't traded before then.

*I assume he will opt out no matter where he is after 2027 if he pitches like ace Framber.

Chef Elko said:

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BCEDAg said:

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Stros play Detroit at Daikin Park June 15-17. Get your popcorn ready.

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I hope we repeatedly bunt at Framber.

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Then he'll try and intentionally throw at the runner leading off of first / second base.

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Chef Elko said:

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BCEDAg said:

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Stros play Detroit at Daikin Park June 15-17. Get your popcorn ready.

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I hope we repeatedly bunt at Framber.

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Then he'll try and intentionally throw at the runner leading off of first / second base.

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Or he will intentionally throw at our hitters that are trying to bunt.

Chef Elko said:

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BCEDAg said:

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Stros play Detroit at Daikin Park June 15-17. Get your popcorn ready.

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I hope we repeatedly bunt at Framber.

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first team to score 15+ runs on infield singles and errors.

Interesting comment from Jeff Passan in an ESPN article:

Quote:

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The spending of the top two teams has reinforced to 28 others that change is necessary. They believe that change comes via a salary cap.

Regardless of whether the league can ever convince players to accept one, the vast majority of people in baseball -- even among the Dodgers and Mets -- acknowledge that significant changes need to come following the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement Dec. 1. How significant will determine the length of a potential work stoppage and whether it affects the 2027 season.

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They also said that a few teams might load up before the CBA expires to aim for a grandfathering of existing deals.

Chef Elko said:

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BCEDAg said:

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Stros play Detroit at Daikin Park June 15-17. Get your popcorn ready.

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I hope we repeatedly bunt at Framber.

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Hit enough grounders in his general area and we will score 4+ on errors alone

Urquidy gets $1.5M plus incentives on Pirates deal https://t.co/Ao8d40X6XN

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 5, 2026

txags92 said:

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CharleyKerfeld said:

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Can I get a VR version of Bud Adams who I can choke to death?

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I'd settle for a real life version of one of his kids.

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That daughter looks ornery. Not sure I could take her.

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Urquidy gets $1.5M plus incentives on Pirates deal https://t.co/Ao8d40X6XN

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 5, 2026

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Dana at the deadline lining up another Astros second half reunion, but in reality I'm happy Urquidy is hanging on. Never want to see injury end a career prematurely.