DETROIT — With one stunning, blockbuster move, the Tigers delivered a compelling answer to a persistent question.

Are they truly committed to winning now and winning it all? Two consecutive playoff appearances say something. So does their loss in Tarik Skubal’s arbitration case Thursday. And this says plenty too — the Tigers just landed the top free-agent pitcher on the market, Framber Valdez, with a three-year, $115-million deal, a stunning twist on a crazy day.

The Tigers and Skubal squared off in their arbitration hearing Wednesday, and even with his winning of a record $32 million contract, he’s expected to remain through this season, unlikely to be traded. The Tigers suddenly have one of the most formidable staffs in baseball, with a rare and elite one-two pitching punch with lefties Skubal and Valdez.

The Valdez signing was revealed shortly after Skubal’s hearing ended, which was either coincidental or clever, blunting the sting of any outcome for the Tigers. It might even be a message to Skubal about long-term prospects for success here. Mostly it’s about striking now, altering perceptions with a shrewd stroke of a pen.

Valdez, 32, provides more stability to their already-solid pitching staff. Since becoming a full-time starter for the Astros in 2020, he’s tied for first in the majors in wins (73) with two All-Star appearances. Valdez has pitched in two World Series, and helped the Astros win it in 2022. He’s been remarkably dependable — two brief stints on the injured list — and periodically overpowering, throwing a 93-pitch no-hitter against Cleveland in 2023.

AJ Hinch managed Valdez in Houston and reportedly made a trip there this week to push the deal, which has significant ramifications, competitively and conceptually. The Tigers’ championship chances just rose, and while they’re not World Series favorites, they’re heavy AL Central division favorites and should be in the mix to win the American League pennant.

All the normal caveats about injuries and under-performance remain. The signing is pending Valdez’s physical, and also includes an opt-out clause after two years, a fair hedge by both sides. The average annual salary of $38.3 million is the highest ever given a left-handed pitcher.

This was a bold, bullish move by owner Chris Ilitch and president of baseball operations Scott Harris, fraught with some danger but loaded with fascinating benefits. For fans rightly miffed about the prospect of losing the best pitcher in baseball, Skubal, the Tigers didn’t just accept the hand they were given, and instead dealt another.

For Ilitch, it was a strong — and necessary — response to fans hungering for the franchise’s first World Series title since 1984. The Tigers have a touted farm system ready to unleash promising young talent, but patience couldn’t be the buzzword much longer, especially with Skubal’s status. With the Valdez acquisition, their payroll jumps to about $222 million, just outside the top 10 in baseball, without any bloated long-term contracts.

Obvious follow-up: If the Tigers were willing pay Valdez $38.3 million annually, why did they offer Skubal only $19 million in arbitration?

Obvious answer: A free-agent like Valdez is in a completely different negotiating landscape than an arbitration-eligible player with no ability to sign elsewhere (yet).

Complaints about the Tigers’ frugality are being strongly addressed, despite Skubal’s situation. The arbitration process revealed a huge gap in the Tigers’ willingness to pay him. Ultimately, it also revealed their determination not to cave to absurd long-term demands. With Skubal’s representation allegedly seeking a $400 million contract over seven or eight years, the Tigers opted for a more-reasonable — although still expensive — option.

Committing that much money for that many years never made sense to me, and probably only makes sense to Skubal’s quirky agent, Scott Boras, and a handful of super-rich teams — Dodgers, Yankees, Mets. More than a negotiation, it has become a referendum on baseball’s collective bargaining agreement, due to expire after the upcoming season.

Owners want more cost control, including a salary cap, while the players association — with Skubal on the executive committee — claim lavish spending on free agents dulls the argument that baseball’s economics are broken.

If Skubal is the fortunate (or unfortunate) pawn in the middle, the Tigers opted for more certainty. They reportedly have no intentions of trading their superstar, and instead chose to go all-in with Skubal for a shot at a championship.

Some will argue the Tigers aren’t truly “all-in,” as they made no changes to their everyday lineup. Their offense was excellent for more than half of last season when they rolled to the best record in baseball, but crumbled late as they finished 87-75 and barely made the playoffs. For the second straight year, they advanced one round, and came one pitch or one hit away from reaching the ALCS.

The 3-2 loss in 15 innings to Seattle in the decisive Game 5 stirred controversy that divided opinions on Skubal. He left after the sixth inning and 99 pitches with the Tigers leading 2-1. The bullpen surrendered the lead in the seventh and both teams spent hours and innings wasting chances to win it.

Skubal, 29, has been an incredible workhorse the past two seasons, going 31-10 while winning two Cy Young Awards. He does have a history of arm trouble, which partly explains why the Tigers and Skubal had a mutual understanding he shouldn’t push the limits when he pitched. He topped 100 pitches only three times last season, and has one complete game in his career.

Valdez, despite his age, seems to be getting stronger. He’s thrown 973 innings since 2020, fifth-most in the majors, with nine complete games and a sparkling 3.23 ERA. Many wondered why he was still available with spring training a week ago, and some have questioned a volatile temperament.

In a game against the Yankees last August, Valdez was miffed after allowing a home run. Two pitches later, he crossed up his catcher, Cesar Salazar, and fired a pitch that him in the lower chest. It created a furor, but both players said it was unintentional and his manager, Joe Espada, defended Valdez.

“Framber Valdez is well respected in our clubhouse,” Espada said on the “Foul Territory” podcast. “He’s got a ton of friends. His work ethic is impeccable. He’s strong as a bull.”

For at least one season, Valdez enters a deep, experienced rotation that includes Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Reese Olson, Troy Melton and newcomer Drew Anderson. The Tigers are better fortified for a strong, long run. If it’s only a one-year big swing with Skubal, it’s worth it.

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