Framber Valdez was involved in a beanball controversy that led to benches clearing during a game. The incident highlighted his struggles as the Detroit Tigers' ace amid their postseason hopes.
Key points
Framber Valdez involved in a beanball controversy
Benches cleared during the incident
Valdez is the highest-paid player for the Tigers
Tigers rely on him for postseason hopes
Valdez's performance has been inconsistent
Detroit TigersFramber ValdezTarik Skubal
Framber Valdez at center of another beanball controversy as benches clear
Just when the Detroit Tigers needed someone to step up and be a presence in a sea of calamity, someone to throw them a life raft, someone to make them feel like their world isnât collapsing around them, along comes Framber Valdez acting like a human Titanic.
Valdez is the Tigersâ new ace, their highest-paid player, the one the Tigers desperately are relying on to keep their postseason hopes alive until Tarik Skubal returns to the mound later this summer.
And on Tuesday evening, he melted down for the entire Tigersâ franchise to see, reminding everyone of the ugly warts in this talented left-handed pitcher.
Valdezâs selfish act of immaturity was so outrageous in the Tigersâ 10-3 shellacking to the Boston Red Sox that when he intentionally hit Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a 94.4 mph fastball in the middle of his back during his latest temper tantrum, even his own manager couldnât stand up for him.
âWe play a really good brand of baseball here,ââ Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said in his press conference after the game. âThat doesn't feel like it. That's not judging intent. I have no idea.
âBut when you go out on the field and end up in those confrontations, you usually feel like you're in your right.
âIt didn't feel good being out there."
In other words, how are you going to actually fight for your own teammate when you feel like punching him yourself?
Q&A
What happened during the beanball incident involving Framber Valdez?
Framber Valdez was at the center of a beanball controversy that caused benches to clear during a game.
Why is Framber Valdez considered the ace of the Detroit Tigers?
Framber Valdez is the highest-paid player on the Detroit Tigers and is relied upon to lead the team as they aim for the postseason.
How does Framber Valdez's performance affect the Tigers' postseason chances?
Valdez's struggles on the mound are critical for the Tigers, who depend on him to maintain their postseason hopes until Tarik Skubal returns.
What are the implications of the benches clearing incident for Framber Valdez?
The benches clearing incident raises concerns about Valdez's ability to handle pressure and perform as the team's ace.
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âI understand," Hinch said. "I understand their (Red Sox) frustration and the optics. I understand the whole thing.ââ
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Valdez, who gave up nine hits and 10 runs runs (seven earned) in just three innings, insisted with a straight face that he wasnât deliberately trying to hit Story after giving up back-to-back homers, saying the pitch simply got away from him, and thereâs no way he deserved to be ejected.
âNot at all," Valdez said through interpreter Carlos Guillen. âIt was not on purpose. It might've looked like that but it wasn't. I was trying to throw a strike after two consecutive home runs, and the pitch just came out of my hand.
âIt wasn't on purpose.ââ
Oh, of course not.
There is no chance that this same man who drilled his own teammate in the chest with a fastball last season with the Houston Astros would now intentionally hit an opponent.
No way, right?
Right?
Anyone else believe him?
Yes, just in case anyone forgot, this is the same guy who was so angry after giving up a grand slam to New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham last September, that he crossed up teammate and catcher Cesar Salazar by throwing a 92.8 mph sinker that slammed into his chest protector. Instead of apologizing, Valdez turned his back in disgust.
Valdez, summoned into Astros manager Joe Espadaâs office after the game, told reporters it was simply miscommunication.
And you wonder why he was still on the free-agent market a week before spring training, signing a three-year, $115 million contract when he was expected to receive a deal close to free-agent starter Dylan Ceaseâs six-year, $210 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays?
Now, with the Tigers badly needing an influx of help, with three members of their opening-day starting rotation and 14 players on the injured list, they are about to be playing one man short.
Valdez, 2-2 with a 4.57 ERA, surely will be suspended at least five days for his actions that should be announced Wednesday.
âI do not expect to get suspended,ââ said Valdez, who chose that moment to throw his first four-seam fastball of the season.
Maybe he should look around the room, and see if thereâs a soul in the Tigersâ clubhouse that feels the same.
If you gave them a lie detector test, theyâd probably all come to the same conclusion as Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy.
âI thought it was weak and I thought everybody saw it,ââ Tracy told reporters. âTheir side, our side, I think everybody saw it. It was weak.â
Really, once Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu opened the fourth inning by hitting mammoth home runs off Valdez, with Contreras flipping his bat after his 449-foot shot, Story could sense it was coming.
âI was in there ready to hit,ââ Story said, âand it showed up way behind me, off the numbers. I think we all know whatâs what ... itâs pretty indisputable.ââ
Story glared toward Valdez after being hit, players poured out of the dugouts, but there were no punches thrown or even shoves. Why fight when everyone is in full agreement of what happened?
âWe handled it,â Story said. âWe said what we said on the field, and I think thatâs where it stays.â
Now, Michael Hill, senior vice president of on-field operations for MLB, will have his say.
And, perhaps behind closed doors in a meeting with Valdez, Hinch will have plenty to say, too.
