Tarik Skubal Shatters Expectations with Jaw-Dropping $32 Million Arbitration Victory—What This Means for Baseball’s Future

When it comes to salary arbitration battles in Major League Baseball, Tarik Skubal just rewrote the record books in a big way. The Detroit Tigers’ left-handed ace—already a two-time Cy Young Award winner—secured a jaw-dropping $32 million payout for the 2024 season, blowing away the team’s original $19 million offer. This hefty bump didn’t just secure his bag; it shattered the previous arbitration salary records, leaving us all wondering what’s next for this rising star. The decision, handed down by arbitrators Jeanne Charles, Walt De Treux, and Allen Ponak, marks a pivotal moment in MLB’s financial theater, eclipsing high-profile precedents set by stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Juan Soto. Skubal’s dominance on the mound last season—leading the American League with a 2.21 ERA and an eye-popping 0.891 WHIP—made this payday not merely deserved but inevitable. And with free agency on the horizon post-World Series, Detroit’s investment signals a major commitment to keeping their ace in the fold. Buckle up, baseball fans—this arbitration outcome is just the tip of the iceberg in what’s shaping up to be a blockbuster offseason. LEARN MORE

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Tarik Skubal won his salary arbitration hearing with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, and the two-time Cy Young Award winner will be paid a record $32 million this year instead of the team’s $19 million offer.

Jeanne Charles, Walt De Treux and Allen Ponak made the decision one day after listening to arguments.

Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had held the record for the highest salary in an arbitration case decided by a panel, winning at $19.9 million in 2024 in a case decided by Charles, De Treux and Scott Buchheit.

Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado submitted a record request of $30 million in 2019, then agreed to a $260 million, eight-year contract without a hearing.

Juan Soto’s $31 million contract with the New York Yankees in 2024 had been the largest one-year deal for an arbitration-eligible player. David Price had held the highest negotiated salary in a one-year contract for an arbitration-eligible pitcher, a $19.75 million agreement with Detroit in 2015.

A two-time All-Star, Skubal will be eligible for free agency after the World Series. The 29-year-old left-hander is 54-37 with a 3.08 ERA in six major league seasons.

Skubal was 13-6 with an AL-best 2.21 ERA in 31 starts last year, striking out 241 and walking 33 in 195 1/3 innings while earning $10.5 million. His 0.891 WHIP topped qualified pitchers.

After the hearing Wednesday, the Tigers agreed to a $115 million, three-year contact with left-hander Framber Valdez, a deal pending a successful physical.

Players have won the first three decisions this offseason. Right-hander Kyle Bradish was awarded $3.55 million instead of the Baltimore Orioles’ offer of $2,875,000, and catcher Yainer Diaz received $4.5 million instead of the Houston Astros’ $3 million proposal.