HereS a breakdown of the key details from the provided text regarding Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal and his upcoming arbitration case:
* The Situation: Tarik Skubal is entering his first year of arbitration eligibility. He and the Tigers failed too reach a contract agreement before the deadline.
* Likely Outcome: The Tigers are known to “file-and-trial,” meaning they are likely to proceed to a hearing rather than negotiate further. Skubal is unlikely to sign a multi-year extension as he will be a free agent after this season.
* Potential Record: If Skubal wins the arbitration case, he could set a new record for the highest salary awarded to an arbitration-eligible player, surpassing Juan Soto’s $31 million. He would also break the record for a pitcher, currently held by David Price at $19.75 million.
* skubal’s Strengths in the Case:
* Service Time: He has enough service time to compare his salary demands to all players, not just those eligible for arbitration.
* Accomplishments: He can present his “special accomplishments” – being one of only 12 pitchers to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards and one of 23 to win the award multiple times.
* Tigers’ History: The Tigers have only gone to one arbitration hearing as 2001 (and won).
* Skubal’s Performance: He had an excellent 2023 season with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts in 195 innings,leading the Tigers to the postseason.
* Hearing Date: Hearings are scheduled from January 26 to february 13 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
