Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal won his arbitration case, per multiple reports, meaning that he will receive his request $32 million contract for the 2026 season. The Tigers had countered Skubal’s request with a $19 million proposal.
This is the largest salary for a player who was arbitration-eligible, as well as the highest salary ever awarded in a contested MLB arbitration, with the previous high being $19.9 million. Skubal’s request was in line with the salaries received by stars in their final year of arbitration eligibility in recent years, such as Juan Soto, who agreed to terms for $31 million in 2024, and Vlad Guerrero Jr., who settled with the Toronto Blue Jays for $28.5 million.
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While most players in arbitration can only compare themselves for salary purposes to other players with similar service time, because Skubal has at least five years of service time, he was able to compare himself to all players. In addition, the CBA allows a player to argue for a higher salary based on special accomplishments, which in Skubal’s case meant back to back Cy Young Awards.
In MLB’s arbitration system, the arbitration panel must pick one of the two numbers submitted. With the halfway point between the two numbers being $25.5 million, if the panel felt Skubal’s case warranted a $25.51 million salary, they are required to go with Skubal’s $32 million request, rather than the team’s $19 million request.
Barring injury or a disastrous season, Skubal will almost certainly receive more than $32 million per year when he hits free agency this upcoming offseason.
