Arbitration Season Tilts Toward Players
Skubal’s victory marks the third arbitration ruling this offseason — and the third to favor a player.
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kyle Bradish was awarded $3.55 million over the club’s $2.875 million offer. Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz secured $4.5 million instead of the $3 million proposed by his team.
Seven additional arbitration hearings remain on the calendar, including those involving Milwaukee Brewers catcher Willson Contreras, Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic and Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson.
Dominance on the Mound
Skubal’s record-breaking award mirrors his dominance between the lines. Over the past two seasons, he has compiled a 31-10 record with 469 strikeouts across 381 1/3 innings. His 0.91 WHIP and .201 opponent batting average underscore his command, while his résumé includes two All-Star selections, two All-MLB First Team honors and back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards.
In 2024, Skubal captured the pitching Triple Crown and joined an elite group of just six players to win multiple Cy Young Awards in the past 15 years.
Last season, he anchored a Tigers rotation supported by Jack Flaherty and Case Mize. Detroit finished 87-75, good for second place in the AL Central, and advanced to the American League Division Series before falling to the Seattle Mariners in five games.
Skubal shined in October as well. In three postseason starts, he logged 20 2/3 innings, allowed just four earned runs and struck out 36 batters while holding opponents to a .143 average. He earned one victory in the series and solidified his reputation as a big-game performer.
Next month, he is expected to serve as one of Team USA’s premier arms in the World Baseball Classic — another stage, another spotlight.
With Tarik Skubal wins arbitration case now etched into MLB history, the Tigers’ ace has once again proven that when the stakes are highest, he delivers.
