DETROIT — While they were waiting for an arbitration panel in Arizona to rule on a $13 million wage gap between themselves and their ace lefty Tarik Skubal Wednesday, the Detroit Tigers pulled off a stunner deal for another ace left-handed starter.

A source familiar with the negotiations confirmed to The Detroit News on Wednesday night that the club and Framber Valdez, the top starting pitcher still on the free agent market, were in agreement on a three-year deal worth $115 million, plus a $20 million signing bonus.

The deal, which came together quickly after Valdez met with manager AJ Hinch in Houston earlier this week, also includes deferrals and an opt-out after the second year and is pending a physical.

The $38.3 million average annual salary is the fifth highest for a pitcher behind Shohei Ohtani, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Zack Wheeler.

The deal was struck knowing it was possible the Tigers would be paying Skubal $32 million this season. The arbitration panel, which met on Wednesday to hear arguments from both sides (the Tigers bid $19 million), had not released the verdict to the public or to the two parties.

Valdez, 32, broke into the big leagues with the Astros and was managed by Hinch for the first two seasons. He established himself as a top-of-the-rotation workhorse the last four seasons, pitching at least 192 innings in three of the last four.

He’s had just two injured-list stints in his eight seasons, while posting a 3.23 ERA over 973 innings since 2020. He’s also pitched in 85 postseason games, including helping the Astros win the World Series in 2022, with a 4.24 ERA.

The two-time All-Star features a 94-mph sinker, curveball and changeup mix. Last season he posted a 59% ground-ball rate and got a 43.7% whiff rate with his curveball.

The Tigers will head to camp next week with a formidable starting rotation, featuring Skubal, Valdez, Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize, plus Reese Olson, Troy Melton, Keider Montero and Drew Anderson.

Because Valdez opted not to take the Astros’ qualifying offer, the Tigers will forfeit a draft pick next season after the fourth round.

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