The conclusion of the Detroit Tigers’ offseason will be defined by the resolution of Tarik Skubal’s arbitration. In making a point to preview what his free agency may look like, Skubal (cough, cough… Scott Boras) filed at $32 million, and the Tigers filed at $19 million. Beyond being an indicator for Skubal’s future, the result of the hearing figures to determine what, if any, move Detroit is able to make before Opening Day.
If Skubal wins, the Tigers’ offseason is effectively over. Sure, there will be moves on the fringes of the major league roster, but Detroit likely wouldn’t have the space for an impact free-agent splash. If the Tigers come out on top, they will have a path to making a last-minute addition.
Regardless of the outcome, the Tigers will still need a starting pitcher. In a world where the Tigers are only paying Skubal $19 million next season, they, in theory, could be suitors for one of Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, or Zac Gallen. Still a leap, but not necessarily the one it would take if Detroit were paying a Skubal a record amount.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter is aware of that fact and lists Detroit as a dark-horse landing spot for Valdez.
Tarik Skubal and the Tigers could not reach an agreement and will go to arbitration, with Skubal filing at $32 million and the Tigers at $19 million, per @Feinsand
The most a pitcher has ever gotten in arbitration was David Price receiving $19.75 million from Detroit in 2015 pic.twitter.com/PYQVyIGKd9
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) January 9, 2026Tigers connected to surprise free agent amid Tarik Skubal arbitration fallout
At the start of the offseason, Valdez was positioned as the top free-agent starter on the market. He was a model of consistency during his tenure in Houston, but as the offseason dragged on, it seems that interested teams were having second thoughts.
Dylan Cease, Michael King, and Tatsuya Imai all went off the board ahead of Valdez, and it seems to be tied to the fact that in his last season with the Astros, he threw the team’s coaching staff under the bus and intentionally crossed up his catcher.
Valdez’s arrival certainly would boost the Tigers’ rotation, but he may not be the answer in the clubhouse. Not to mention, it would send a dangerous look for their stance on Skubal. They aren’t willing to pay their reigning two-time Cy Young award winner who has endeared himself to Detroit, but are willing to pay a potential problem child?
The optics of that would be baffling, and even the Tigers wouldn’t stoop to that level. (Hopefully).