Detroit – Left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal has secured a historic salary increase after winning his salary arbitration hearing against the Detroit Tigers. According to reports, the arbitration panel ruled in favor of Skubal, setting his salary at $32 million for the 2026 season.
This deal makes Skubal one of the highest-paid pitchers in baseball, ranking fifth among MLB pitchers in terms of base salary, according to available data. Furthermore, it sets a record for a pitcher in salary arbitration, surpassing any previous figure.
Although the result does not affect his position on the team, the transfer rumors have diminished during the off-season, while other teams have opted for different strategies. The difference between the proposals was significant: Skubal requested $32 million, while the Tigers offered $19 million. The arbitration panel, following MLB rules, had to choose one of the two figures without the possibility of an intermediate agreement. This salary exceeds the $19.75 million contract that Detroit agreed to with David Price in 2015 to avoid a hearing, becoming the highest amount awarded by the franchise in an arbitration case. In the 2025 season, Skubal earned $10.15 million. With more than five years of service in the Major Leagues, Skubal and his agent, Scott Boras, were able to compare his value to that of elite pitchers like Zack Wheeler ($42 million), Jacob deGrom ($38 million), and Gerrit Cole ($36 million). Detroit hadn’t lost an arbitration hearing since 2000. Looking ahead to 2026, Skubal will be the second-highest paid player for the Tigers, behind only Framber Valdez, who recently signed a three-year, $115 million contract.
