Imago
Source: IMAGO
Imago
Source: IMAGO
The Detroit Tigers were playing a very, very dangerous game with Tarik Skubal and lost. On February 5th, the Detroit Tigers did a masterstroke and went and got Framber Valdez in the rotation. They gave him a 3-year, $115 million deal, but they were not ready to give the same amount to their best pitcher, Tarik Skubal. But now that has backfired.
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It was just reported by Jeff Passan that the Detroit Tigers lost their arbitration case against Tarik Skubal.
Passan wrote, “Two-time reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal won his arbitration case and will make $32 million this year.” But now the question is, is the relationship between the Tigers’ management and Skubal over?
Tarik Skubal won arbitration after a three-person panel awarded him a record 32 million. Detroit filed at 19 million, creating a 13 million gap that forced a hearing.
Skubal entered the case as baseball’s most dominant starter with back-to-back Cy Youngs. He led MLB with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts across 195 innings in the season. Those numbers framed an arbitration case unlike any Detroit pitcher previously presented there before.
The dispute began when Detroit held firm near 19.8 million despite historic performance levels. Tarik Skubal countered at 32 million using five-plus service rules and special accomplishment status.
Back-to-back Cy Youngs allowed comparisons to Wheeler deGrom and Cole’s salaries leaguewide. The panel had to choose one figure under the rules with no middle ground available.
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That structure magnified the standoff and hardened positions inside a tense process for both sides.
BREAKING: Two-time reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal won his arbitration case and will make $32 million this year, sources tell ESPN. Skubal’s bet to go for the largest salary ever in the arbitration system paid off, as he’ll make $13M more than Tigers argued.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 5, 2026
As talks dragged fans sensed a messy split forming between club leadership and ace. Detroit had not lost an arbitration since 2000, making the gamble feel calculated inside the office.
Tarik Skubal, meanwhile, doubled down by citing elite peers earning 36 to 42 million annually. The risk grew as trade rumors followed him through the winter meetings and deadline discussions.
Each filing and leak deepened the strain felt by fans watching a homegrown star pitcher.
Amid this tension, Detroit stunned rivals by signing Framber Valdez for 115 million total. The deal averages about 38 million annually and followed Skubal’s hearing hours later.
Framber Valdez brought a 3.30 ERA over 368 innings during the 2024 and 2025 combined seasons. The timing suggested confidence that Detroit would control costs if arbitration favored management that day.
Instead, the ruling flipped leverage overnight and reshaped payroll math for 2026 season planning.
Detroit now owes Valdez 38 million AAV and Skubal 32 million during the season.
That dual commitment tightens flexibility as Skubal approaches free agency after the 2026 regular season.
Rosenthal reported Detroit plans to keep him, yet uncertainty lingers after arbitration scars remain. For Tarik Skubal, the process capped an offseason of rumors despite 29 starts yearly averaged.
With value peaking and trust frayed, a trade before deadline now feels plausible leaguewide.
Baseball fans lose it after the Tigers mess up Tarik Skubal’s negotiations
Baseball is watching as Detroit Tigers‘ payroll acrobatics collide with Tarik Skubal’s arbitration hearing results. Fans are laughing and groaning simultaneously, seeing Framber Valdez locked in for $115 million immediately afterward. The mismanagement of elite pitching salaries has created chaos, leaving followers questioning if logic ever left the building.
The reporter wrote, “They paid Framber while arguing their elite ace was $13 million less valuable,” highlighting Detroit’s inconsistent valuation. Detroit agreed to $115 million for Valdez despite Skubal delivering a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts in 195⅓ innings. Skubal’s dominance across the 2024 and 2025 seasons made him arguably more valuable than a newly signed free agent. Fans saw the gap between $19 million offered and $32 million awarded as proof of Detroit misjudging their long-term ace.
The reporter exclaimed, “OOOOO HES SO GETTING TRADED,” reflecting fans’ growing frustration with Detroit’s choices. Many believe the Tigers will balk at paying Skubal $32 million alongside Valdez’s $38.3 million AAV contract. The combination of arbitration costs and Valdez’s historic deal makes keeping both aces financially complicated for the team. With the Dodgers showing offseason interest, speculation that Skubal could be moved before free agency intensifies.
The reporter wrote, “He should request a trade,” echoing fans who feel Detroit disrespected Skubal. They argue the Tigers undervalued him at $19 million before arbitration despite back-to-back Cy Young seasons. Winning the $32 million hearing now feels like a forced correction, deepening the sense of betrayal. Fans believe Tarik Skubal has earned loyalty and dominance recognition, making staying with Detroit increasingly untenable this offseason.
The reporter wrote, “So glad the Arbitration process worked for the player. Tarik deserves the money,” celebrating Skubal’s victory. The arbitration panel awarded him $32 million after Detroit filed only $19 million, proving the system effective. Skubal earned back-to-back American League Cy Young awards with 241 strikeouts and a 2.21 ERA in 195⅓ innings. Fans see the ruling as fair compensation for his elite performance over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The comment reflects public approval that the player received his full market value through the proper channels.
The reporter wrote, “The fact that the Tigers even argued this was so fucking stupid. He’s walking next year,” criticizing Detroit’s handling of Skubal. The fan believes offering only $19 million despite his 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts was poor judgment. They predict Tarik Skubal will hit free agency after 2026, with contending teams like the Dodgers and Yankees eager to sign him. This comment underscores frustration over Detroit risking a back-to-back Cy Young winner leaving after one more season.
Detroit Tigers’ miscalculation turned Tarik Skubal into both a payday hero and a headache instantly. Baseball fans are watching as Framber Valdez collects millions while Detroit debates if sense ever returned.