Tigers paying Framber Valdez wasn't disrepect — it was showing respect to Tarik Skubal

In the world of Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers, things are tense. At least, that's what the media would have you believe.

From the borderline misleading reports about a massive gap in extension talks to the incessant trade rumors to the historic arbitration showdown between the superstar and the club, it's easy to believe that the Tigers are being purposefully antagonistic and that Skubal will take anything as a slight, whether or not that's the intention.

That makes for eye-popping headlines and could be the basis for a smash-hit reality TV show, but the reality is more mundane. Baseball is a business, and both the club and the ace understand that reality. It's a situation rife with even more uncertainty, given the looming labor negotiations and potential lockout next winter.

But Skubal loves Detroit and is seemingly souped up to share a rotation with a living Tigers' legend. So maybe things aren't as fractured as they seem.

Those who want to push the narrative of strife will point to Detroit signing Framber Valdez as a slap in the face to the two-time reigning Cy Young Winner. Those folks would be wrong. Very wrong.

The Tigers signing Framber Valdez was one of the greatest ways they could've shown respect to Tarik Skubal

Acquiescing to the $32 million salary demand from Skubal and Scott Boras with no hesitation would have been the greatest respect that the Tigers could show, but signing Framber Valdez is a close second.

Some will try to spin it the other way. The $115 million for three years Detroit gave to Valdez isn't that straightforward, with signing bonuses and deferrals lowering to AAV, but in its essence, it's $38.33 million a year, which some would like to portray as a slap in the face to Skubal.

After all, the Tigers fought him over less money, and while Valdez is very good, Skubal is in a different stratosphere.

But that ignores several key points. The Tigers gave Valdez that money, knowing they might have to pay up for Skubal. The agreement between Detroit and Framber broke prior to Skubal's arbitration hearing. One thing had nothing to do with the other financially. Instead, Detroit knew where its budget stood and took action to improve its ball club the way it saw fit.

Arbitration is a different process from free agency. The Tigers know this, and so does Skubal. Even with the southpaw setting the record, he's still being underpaid for 2026, considering what he's actually worth. That's how the process is designed. Valdez, he had the leverage to negotiate with any team he'd like. That naturally drives the price up.

The real show of respect goes to the improvement piece, though. The Tigers hadn't done much all offseason up to this point. The real lack of respect would have been not taking a big swing to improve a team that had a historic collapse last season and nearly missed the playoffs. Playing it safe and being cheap would've been the slap in the face.

Instead, the Tigers brought in a legitimate No. 2 starter, which they lacked. They brought in a durable arm to help anchor a rotation that has talent, but also question marks and health concerns.

The club made a play that signals they want to compete at the highest level in 2026. And, when it comes to the stuff on the field, that's what Skubal desperately wants.

It may work out that 2026 is Skubal's final year in Detroit. It may come to be that Valdez is his eventual replacement as the leader of the rotation. That's not disrespect, though, because if that happens, it's because of the way the business played out.

Instead, adding Framber Valdez and pushing their chips to the middle of the table — as far as their budget seemingly allowed, at least — is giving the respect that is due to one of the very best players in the game.