Tarik Skubal Rumors Reveal Tigers Contract Negotiations Amid MLB Record Arbitration Case

The Detroit Tigers and ace pitcher Tarik Skubal are reportedly $13 million apart ahead of their arbitration case, and details have emerged about the negotiations between the two sides.

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Tigers were "willing to go higher than $20 million for Skubal but never received a counteroffer," and Skubal's camp "evidently saw little point in advancing the discussions."

Skubal and the Tigers failed to reach a contract agreement before Thursday's deadline, and ESPN's Jorge Castillo reported that the two-time reigning American League Cy Young award winner is seeking a record $32 million in salary arbitration ahead of a hearing next month. Detroit had countered with $19 million, creating a record $13 million difference if the case makes it to a hearing.

Rosenthal noted that "people familiar with the discussions" said the Tigers initially offered Skubal "an amount that would have broken two records for an arbitration-eligible pitcher, David Price's $19.75 million salary and Jacob deGrom's $9.6 million raise." However, the team eventually settled on an offer under $20 million, which is what Detroit is paying starting pitcher Jack Flaherty in 2026 despite him having a lesser resume than Skubal.

According to Rosenthal, "some in the industry contend" that the Tigers "should have filed higher than $20 million, putting Skubal symbolically above Flaherty, creating greater distance from the deGrom and Price records and strengthening their case by raising the midpoint from $25.5 million."

The failed contract negotiations between the Tigers and Skubal add further fuel to the rumors that he could be traded at some point if the team can't afford to keep him. It's clear that the 29-year-old is on the ascent as he enters his prime, so losing him would be a low moment for a Detroit franchise that hasn't made it past the ALDS since 2013.