Tigers ace Tarik Skubal jokes with new big-money teammate: ‘Dinners on you’

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is more than happy to welcome another top-tier left-hander to the team’s starting rotation, even if newly signed free agent Framber Valdez will be making a little more money this season than the two-time reigning AL Cy Young award winner.

“Dinners on you,” Skubal said in a post on his Instagram story shortly after the Valdez signed his three-year, $115 million deal with the Tigers.

Skubal is in for a pretty sizable payday himself, with his salary arbitration hearing decision expected to be resolved this week. He’s seeking $32 million for the upcoming season while the Tigers have countered at $19 million.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal has won the American League Cy Young award each of the past two seasons.

The signing gives Detroit arguably the best 1-2 combination at the top of the rotation in the American League. But there’s still a question of how long they’ll be on the roster together.

Skubal is a free agent at the end of the 2026 season, and the money the Tigers paid to land Valdez could be a sign they expect him to take over the No. 1 starter role if Skubal leaves.

For now though, Tigers fans can relish the idea of both pitchers carrying the team toward a possible World Series appearance.

And the two lefties can look forward to an enjoyable − and likely very expensive − meal together.