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george castillo
star left hander tariq skubal and this detroit tigers The failure to reach a contract before Thursday’s deadline to avoid arbitration set up a showdown in which the two-time American League Cy Young winner is demanding a record $32 million in salary arbitration.
The Tigers countersued with $19 million, bringing the spread to a record $13 million when the case went to trial. Although the parties could reach a settlement between now and the hearing in February, the Tigers are historically a “file-and-trial” team. If they can’t work out a multiyear extension — and Skubal, arguably the best pitcher in baseball, likely won’t hit free agency after this season — the Tigers will take their case to a hearing, pitting the sides against each other.
Players with more than three years of major league service time can use arbitration to negotiate their salaries for the upcoming season with clubs. If both sides do not agree to a settlement by the 8 p.m. deadline, they swap salary numbers, which they then take to an arbitration hearing. This year’s hearing is scheduled for January 26 to February 13 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
If Skubal wins the case, he would break the record for the largest one-year deal for an arbitration-eligible player. juan soto He made a mark by signing a $31 million deal with New York Yankees In 2024. david price Holds the record salary for an arbitration-eligible pitcher, signing a $19.75 million deal with the Tigers in 2015. jacob degrom Received the largest raise for an arbitration-eligible pitcher ($9.6 million) in 2019, increasing from $7.4 million to $17 million. New York Mets,
toronto blue jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.The highest salary set by a panel in 2024 is $19,9 million,
The Tigers have not gone to arbitration hearings with a player since 2001; He won his case against the right-handed batsman Michael Fulmer In 2019. Last year, Skubal and the Tigers settled on a $10.15 million contract to avoid a hearing.
Two unusual conditions may help Skubal win his case. The first allows players with at least five years of service time to be compared not only to previous arbitration-eligible players, but to every other player, allowing Scoble to compare himself to previous pitchers with the highest salaries. The second are their “Special Achievements”, which any player who sets a record or earns an award can submit. Skubal is one of 12 pitchers to win consecutive Cy Young Awards and one of 23 pitchers to win the award multiple times.
Whatever the outcome, Skubal would get a huge boost as the staff ace for a club that reached the postseason for the second consecutive year after recording a 2.21 ERA with 241 strikeouts in 195⅓ innings in 31 starts.
Skubal was one of 166 players eligible for arbitration on Thursday, and he is one of 18 players who did not reach an agreement on salary for the 2026 season before Thursday’s deadline. Other players without deals include Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes, milwaukee brewers infielder William Contreras, cincinnati reds catcher tyler stephenson, minnesota twins starter joe ryan, kansas city royals starter chris bubic and first baseman vinny pasquantinoastros catcher yenner diazAnd baltimore orioles starter kyle bradish,
at the other extreme, seattle mariners and outfielder Randy Arozarena Agreed to a salary of $15.65 million in his final year of arbitration, the highest number for an agreement in baseball this year. baltimore orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson The settlement was reached at $8.5 million, setting a franchise record for a player in the first year of arbitration.
chicago cubs and right handed Edward Cabrerawhich he acquired in trade with miami marlins On Wednesday, a settlement was reached at $4.45 million.
Other players who finalized deals on Thursday include:
