Skubal and Tigers: Arbitration in sight, MLB salary record?

Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers: Heading to Salary Arbitration

Detroit Tigers’ star pitcher Tarik Skubal and the organization failed to reach a contractual agreement before the deadline to avoid salary arbitration. This sets the stage for the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner to seek a record salary in the arbitration process. The Tigers’ proposal was $19 million, while Skubal is aiming for $32 million, which would result in a record difference of $13 million if the case goes to a hearing. Although there is still the possibility of an agreement before the hearing, scheduled for February, the Tigers have historically been a team that prefers the “file and trial” route. Players with more than three years of service in the Major Leagues can use arbitration to negotiate their salaries for the upcoming season. This year’s arbitration hearings are scheduled from January 26 to February 13 in Scottsdale, Arizona. If Skubal wins the case, he would break the record for the highest one-year contract for an arbitration-eligible player. The current record is held by Juan Soto, who agreed to a $31 million contract with the Yankees in 2024. The salary record for an arbitration-eligible pitcher is held by David Price, with a $19.75 million deal with the Tigers in 2015. Jacob deGrom has the largest raise for an arbitration-eligible pitcher ($9.6 million) in 2019. The Toronto Blue Jays’ first baseman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., holds the record for the highest salary decided by a panel, with $19.9 million in 2024. The Tigers haven’t gone to an arbitration hearing with a player since 2001. Last year, Skubal and the Tigers agreed to a $10.15 million contract to avoid a hearing. Two uncommon factors could favor Skubal in his case. The first allows players with at least five years of service to compare themselves not only to previous arbitration-eligible players, but to any other player, allowing Skubal to compare himself to pitchers with the highest salaries. The second is his “special achievements”, which any player who has set records or won awards can present. Skubal is one of 12 pitchers who have won consecutive Cy Young awards and one of 23 pitchers who have won the award multiple times. Regardless of the outcome, Skubal will receive a considerable raise after recording an ERA of 2.21 with 241 strikeouts in 195.1 innings across 31 starts, being the ace of the staff for a team that reached the postseason for the second consecutive year. Skubal was one of the 166 arbitration-eligible players and one of the 18 who did not reach a salary agreement before the deadline. Other players who did not reach an agreement 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 Kris Bubic and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino; Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz; and Baltimore Orioles starter Kyle Bradish. On the other hand, the Seattle Mariners and outfielder Randy Arozarena agreed to a salary of $15.65 million in his final arbitration year, the highest figure for an agreement in baseball this year. Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson agreed to $8.5 million, setting the franchise record for a player in his first arbitration year. The Chicago Cubs and right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera, whom they acquired in a trade with the Miami Marlins, agreed to $4.45 million.

Other players who finalized agreements include: