Ace Tarik Skubal’s future has been the overarching theme of pretty much the entirety of the Detroit Tigers’ offseason.
Earlier in the winter, the southpaw was heavily linked with a trade away from Comerica Park. Under only one more year of team control, many felt the Tigers might decide to cash in on Skubal while they still had the chance.
Although such rumors have dissipated, the issue of Tarik Skubal’s arbitration hearing looms. While Skubal filed for a $32 million salary for 2026, the Tigers filed for $19 million, and a third party will now step in to help the two arrive at a conclusion. If Skubal wins, the Tigers will have no choice but to pay him the extra $13 million.
While assessing the situation in a video he uploaded on his YouTube channel on Tuesday, former Miami Marlins president David Samson explained why losing this arbitration case could create serious problems for the Tigers.
“Losing this arbitration would give a $32 million number to one pitcher. They’ve got some revenue issues there, I’m not sure they can handle a $32 million pitcher. Would that cause them to trade tarik Skubal when they didn’t want to?” Samson said (Timestamp: 9:40).
Samson followed up with what he thought was the best course of action for the Tigers in such a scenario.
“I’ve been saying from the beginning that the smartest thing to do would be to trade Skubal. You would be seduced by other teams to bring in an ace like Skubal,” he added. “The risk of the Tigers going to arbitration is that teams will know that they’ve got to trade him, and you may not get the overpay that you were going to get. I would be working on a trade right now, prior to arbitration.”
Tarik Skubal’s Arbitration Also Influences The Detroit Tigers’ Ability To Add To Their Roster This Offseason, Per Insider
According to sources, the Detroit Tigers are looking to bolster their pitching staff this offseason. The organization is allegedly keeping tabs on free agents Lucas Giolito and Chris Bassitt.
However, as The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon reported via an article they published on Saturday, the Tigers’ ability to sign new players depends heavily on the imminent arbitration hearing with Tarik Skubal.
Giolito spent the 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox, finishing with a 10-4 record, 3.41 ERA, and 121 strikeouts. He played a key role in helping the team clinch a postseason spot for the first time since 2021. Bassitt, meanwhile, spent the season in the Toronto Blue Jays’ books, finishing with an 11-9 record, 3.96 ERA, and 166 strikeouts.
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