Tarik Skubal is about to shatter pitcher contract records, and we’re not talking about just a little bump. The two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is staring down a projected nine-year, $360 million deal. That monstrous number would set a non-Shohei Ohtani pitching record for average annual value, hitting an eye-popping $45 million. This winter’s free agency is going to be absolutely wild for this guy.
Tigers Fumbled the Bag, Or Did They?
Over the past year, the Detroit Tigers made it clear they didn’t wanna pay Skubal when he hit free agency. Remember that historic arbitration case last offseason? The Tigers pushed for $19 million for 2026, but Skubal, being the absolute stud he is, won his case and locked in a record-setting $32 million. Ouch for Detroit! Then, with the team struggling, they actually said goodbye to their star, sending him packing to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the deadline. Now Skubal’s on a quest to snag the Dodgers a third-straight title, but he’s still hitting free agency this winter. He can join any team he chooses, but here’s the kicker: Skubal has actually left the door open for a return to Detroit, assuming the money works out. He told MLB.com, “I would love to play my whole career in Detroit. I would love to. And hopefully those negotiations can pick back up in November once the playoffs are done. We’ll see where that goes. Hopefully they’re involved with [something].” Are the Tigers *really* gonna pony up after all that?
The Monster Numbers Skubal Is About To Command
This dude has ascended to being arguably the best pitcher in baseball over the last two years, and he’s about to get paid like it. At 29 years old, Skubal has tons of prime years left, which is why analysts are projecting a floor of $300 million total. To truly set records, he’d need to eclipse Zack Wheeler’s current $42 million AAV. The biggest total contract for a pitcher right now is Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million deal signed with the Dodgers back in 2024. Skubal could easily blow both those records out of the water for AAV and total cash. Even with some injury concerns earlier in 2026 and the trade, a $380 million-plus deal wouldn’t be surprising. An eight-year, $43 million per year contract would net him $344 million, already record-setting. But that nine-year, $360 million figure? That would keep Skubal with his new squad until he’s 38 and set non-Shohei Ohtani pitching records for AAV at $45 million, surpassing Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander’s $43.33 million, plus total cash. The value of a pitcher like Skubal, who can consistently go deep into games with elite stuff, is just immense in today’s game.
Teams like the Dodgers and the Mets are expected to be the main players this winter, ready for a historic bidding war. But don’t count out the Tigers just yet. Skubal’s free agency is gonna be a fascinating saga to watch unfold this offseason, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for one of the game’s elite arms.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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