Tarik Skubal Eyes MLB Record Contract in Tigers Arbitration Case Amid Yankees Trade Rumors
The Detroit Tigers and ace Tarik Skubal's contract figures in arbitration were reportedly revealed on Thursday.
According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Tigers were willing to offer $19 million while Skubal asked for $32 million. The $13 million difference is the largest in salary-arbitration history, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
If Skubal goes to a hearing and wins, his $32 million salary would surpass Juan Soto's record of $31.5 million for the 2024 season with the New York Yankees.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale initially reported that a settlement wasn't reached on Thursday and both sides were scheduled for a hearing, but noted that an agreement could still be finalized before the hearing.
The Yankees have been keeping an eye on Skubal's situation and "checked in" with the Tigers, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
The 29-year-old is in his final year of arbitration, as he's currently slated to hit free agency in 2026.
Skubal previously earned just over $10 million for his 2025 campaign.
He continued to perform at an exceptional level in 2025, earning his second consecutive American League Cy Young Award.
Skubal owned a 13-6 record in 31 starts, posting a 2.21 ERA to go along with 0.891 WHIP. He also racked up 241 strikeouts compared to 33 walks in 195.1 innings of work.
Opposing batters hit just .200 with a .559 OPS against Skubal.
He also stepped up during Detroit's 2025 postseason run, compiling a 1.74 ERA while averaging 15.7 strikeouts per nine innings across three playoff starts.
The record regarding the largest arbitration salary for a starting pitcher is five-time All-Star David Price at $19.75 million in 2015 (h/t ESPN's Jeff Passan). Jacob deGrom also holds the record for the highest arbitration raise at $9.6 million.
Despite Skubal's uncertain long-term future, the Tigers will enter their 2026 campaign with postseason expectations once again after wrapping up an 87-75 finish in 2025.
