Framber Valdez agreed to a three-year, $115 million contract with the Detroit Tigers this offseason, stepping up as a key figure in their pitching rotation. Before Valdez committed to Detroit, speculation circulated that the Pittsburgh Pirates were serious contenders to sign the veteran pitcher. However, an MLB insider recently dismissed those rumors as nothing more than public relations posturing.
Insider Calls Pirates’ Pursuit of Valdez a Publicity Tactic
Bob Nightengale of USA Today, speaking on Foul Territory, was questioned about how close the Pirates came to signing the 32-year-old starter. Nightengale expressed skepticism about any genuine effort from Pittsburgh, suggesting the supposed interest was a way for the Pirates to manage their image rather than a true attempt to acquire Valdez.
“It’s almost like the Tigers went under the radar [to get Valdez],”
Nightengale said.
“It seems like if you really want a guy, you don’t publicize it… [The Pirates] want to tell everybody, ‘Hey, we tried. We missed out. We got this money.’ But they don’t do anything with it. I talked to a couple [general managers] the other day, and they said, ‘How about the Pirates?’ And I say, ‘The Pirates always talk about it, but they don’t do it.’ … So, I think it was just more of a PR type thing.”
Criticism of Pittsburgh’s Handling of the Valdez Situation
The doubts about the Pirates’ sincerity were echoed by former MLB player AJ Pierzynski during the early speculation period. Pierzynski challenged the Pirates’ front office to back their rumored interest with action rather than talk. Despite the noise, Pittsburgh ultimately did not land Valdez.
Valdez’s Move to Detroit and Career Highlights
After eight seasons with the Houston Astros, Valdez joined the Detroit Tigers as a co-ace, expected to provide stability to their pitching staff. The two-time All-Star has demonstrated consistent performance during his career, finishing the 2025 season with a 3.66 ERA, a 1.245 WHIP, 187 strikeouts, and a winning percentage of 54.2%. His presence in Detroit is seen as a boost for the team’s rotation.
Implications for the Pirates and Next Steps
The revelation that the Pirates’ pursuit of Valdez might have been a strategic public relations move highlights deeper concerns about their ability to compete for top talent in free agency. As the Tigers quietly secured a significant addition to their roster, Pittsburgh’s approach invites increased scrutiny about their offseason strategy moving forward.
"It seems like if you really want a guy, you don't publicize it."@BNightengale believes the Pirates "aggressive pursuit" of Framber Valdez was just a PR move. pic.twitter.com/28UK7jC938
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 5, 2026
