One of the top pitchers in baseball will enjoy a record-breaking payday during the upcoming season.
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has been awarded $32-million U.S. for the 2026 season, following an arbitration hearing.
The development was first reported to Mark Feinsand at MLB.com. It was also reported on the Tigers' official website by beat reporter Jason Beck, though the team itself has not confirmed it.
The three-person panel found in favour of Skubal after the Tigers proposed a $19-million salary for the season.
The previous record for an arbitration award was held by Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., in 2024 at $19.9-million U.S. For a pitcher, the previous record holder was David Price, who got a $19.75-million dollar contract from the Tigers in 2015.
Major League Baseball players become eligible for arbitration when they have had three years' service in the major leagues and have not signed a contract for the upcoming season. The club and the player each come up with a proposed salary for one year. Each may present their case to a three-member panel at a hearing, and the panel makes the decision, which becomes the player's salary for the season.
Skubal is the two-time defending American League Cy Young Award winner as the league's best pitcher. In 2024 and 2025, the Tigers reached the postseason, based partly on the strength of Skubal's pitching, though in both years, Detroit failed to advance past the Division Series.
He is also in the final year of his current contract with the Tigers, which has had some commentators speculating about his future in Detroit. Skubal's name had been mentioned in potential trade scenarios, though he will report to the Tigers' winter home in Lakeland, Florida, next week for spring training.
Skubal could still be traded before the July trade deadline, signed to a contract extension, or become a free agent after the 2026 season.
The Tigers will open spring training workouts for pitchers and catchers on Wednesday.
