[Stavenhagen] Tigers centered their arguments to pay Skubal only $19 million on comparisons within the framework of the arbitration system. Agent Scott Boras, as expected, based his arguments around Skubal’s two-time Cy Young status and his interpretation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement

13 comments

  1. I remember when Corbin Burnes went thru arbitration, they said things for nasty. Glad it didn’t go down that road.

  2. I wonder if the owners call for the arbiters removal. I think he did the right thing given the unprecedented back to back CY for a pre arb guy, but I can’t imagine they liked it…

  3. Well Harris may have gotten played by Boris, but at least he didn’t pile on his error by trying to argue against Skubal deserving his payday.

  4. I mean yeah fair enough. That’s about what I would have expected the arguments to be. I’m still a little surprised that they went with Skubal’s number, but good for him. I just hope no one got too pissed off about how this went down.

  5. Lol. His “interpretation.” It’s what the damn rules say. No “interpretation” necessary. Tigers clown show front office just didn’t know all the rules.

  7. Just compare it to any top pitchers compensation, $19m was robbery. They couldn’t have actually believed they were going to win this.

  9. Know the Harris slappies will hate this opinion, but I can only come to two conclusions. First being Harris was completely unaware of the cba as it relates to year five arbitration and player accomplishments, which is one level of incompetence. Second being Harris was fully aware of this clause yet chose to file at $19 million anyway, which is another level of incompetence. Which signals more incompetence is probably up for debate.

    Also wonder if the Tigers brass included labor lawyers in their decision. Of course, maybe they did, but Harris determined himself the smartest man in the room anyhow.

    All that said, Harris signing of Valdez was very well played. Great move.

  10. There is a great episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out in which David Samson explains how the arbitration system works, and includes actual examples from being in the room. The two Marlins’ players discussed are interviewed as well.

  12. This is exactly the way Boras wanted it, too. And that’s all good because Skubal has the right to do whatever he wants. But they have never once gave the Tigers a number (long term, or one year), and they were always going to arbitration at their number and not once looked like they wanted to discuss anything else. Again, totally cool, that’s their right and they won the hearing, good on Skoobs, it’s just getting wild seeing all the blame elsewhere.

    Skubal is going for max money both now and next winter, he’s only staying if we’re the +1 offer, and that’s well within his rights. There’s not much we can do about that but trade him if we get a stupid offer or qualify him and take the pick.

  13. Sounds like both sides knew what the outcome was going to be. Media outlets of course are creating drama over this

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