Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tarik Skubal makes unprecedented demand in arbitration

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Jan 9, 2026 4:41 AM ET

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal is looking to set the new standard in MLB salary arbitration.

The Tigers were unable to reach an agreement with the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner before Thursday night’s deadline, leaving arbitration to resolve how much Detroit will have to pay Skubal next season.

The process involves both the Tigers and Skubal submitting a dollar figure they believe to be a fair amount for the player’s services.

Several reporters confirmed Thursday that the team submitted $19 million as their figure, while Skubal requested for a whopping $32 million.

Two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal filed for a $32 million salary this year while the Detroit Tigers countered at $19 million, sources tell ESPN. The $13 million spread is by far the largest in salary-arbitration history and sets up for a fascinating hearing in February.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 9, 2026

The $13 million gap is the widest in arbitration history. If Skubal wins, his $32 million figure would also be the largest awarded to a player ever, besting the $31 million mark set by Juan Soto. Skubal’s total would also be over 50% more than David Price’s $19.5 million arbitration record for a pitcher.

While Skubal’s demand is unprecedented, most would have a tough time arguing he isn’t worth the price. The Tigers star is the back-to-back Cy Young winner with a WAR over 6.0 in each of his last two seasons. He’s the consensus best pitcher in the American League, but the $32 million figure would only make him the sixth-highest paid starter in the majors.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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