Pirates’ Framber Valdez pursuit ends exactly how fans expected

As soon as Ken Rosenthal reported that the Pittsburgh Pirates were suddenly pursuing lefty starter Framber Valdez in free agency, fans knew exactly how that flirtation was going to end.

Not even nine hours had passed since Rosenthal's initial report about the Pirates' interest before Valdez landed with the Detroit Tigers on a three-year, $115 million deal — complete with deferrals and an opt-out. And it landed exactly how Pirates fans have been conditioned to expect: with a shrug, a sigh, and the familiar refrain of yeah, that tracks.

Because let’s be honest: this pursuit was never about believing. It was about pattern recognition.

Yes, the Pirates were among the teams in pursuit of Valdez. And sure, on paper, you could squint and talk yourself into it. He's a top-tier lefty with a connection to the new pitching coach, who would be joining a rotation that’s already the organization’s calling card. But Pirates fans have lived this movie too many times to buy the trailer.

This was never a true showdown. This was a cameo. The second Valdez’s market revealed itself — record AAVs, historic benchmarks, real commitment — Pittsburgh’s role was clear. Not closer. Not finalist. Stalking horse. The team that makes the agent’s phone ring. The team you cite to prove there was “strong interest.”

The Pirates don’t lose these battles at the finish line. They lose them before the race even starts. And that’s what makes this one feel so perfectly on brand. Not because Valdez signed elsewhere — good players always do — but because the Pirates’ involvement felt designed to look ambitious without ever requiring ambition to be tested.

Framber Valdez signing with Tigers proves Pirates' short-lived pursuit was all for show

Pirates fans didn’t allow themselves to dream of Valdez in black and gold. They allowed themselves to nod knowingly when his name popped up in rumors. They waited for the inevitable report announcing a deal with a team willing to act like a contender.

This wasn’t some gut-punch plot twist. It was another reminder that when the Pirates “take a big swing,” it usually means they’re standing near the batter's box without actually stepping into it.

And here’s the most frustrating part: even the idea of Valdez felt like a pivot born out of failure. After missing on bat after bat. After another winter spent talking about offense while doing almost nothing to fix it. Suddenly, the biggest name left was a pitcher — so naturally, the Pirates were “in.” Not because it solved their biggest problem. But because it was the last big name available.

So no, this isn’t about blaming the Pirates for not matching $115 million. It’s about the familiarity of the script. The predictability. The way fans now experience free agency not with hope, but with expectations carefully calibrated downward to avoid disappointment.

The Pirates were “in” on Valdez the way they've been "in" on big names all offseason: just close enough to be mentioned, never close enough to matter. And somehow, that’s the most Pirates-coded ending imaginable.