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Tigers, Tarik Skubal Head to Arbitration Hearing Wednesday Over Record $13 Million Gap

Observers view the dispute as a precedent test that could broaden salary comparables for top pitchers.

Overview

  • A three-person panel in Arizona will choose either Skubal’s $32 million figure or the Tigers’ $19 million offer with no midpoint allowed.
  • The $13 million spread is the largest in MLB arbitration history, and Skubal’s ask would top Juan Soto’s $31 million record.
  • Reporting indicates a pre-hearing settlement is unlikely as Detroit maintains a file‑and‑trial stance, while agent Scott Boras says he remains open to talks.
  • ESPN reported Skubal may cite a rarely used provision allowing players with more than five years of service to compare themselves to all MLB players.
  • The 29-year-old lefty is a back-to-back AL Cy Young winner after a 2025 season with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts, entering his final year before free agency in 2027.