One of the big fish set to hit the upcoming MLB free agency will undoubtedly be Tarik Skubal, one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball, who remains stuck with the Detroit Tigers without an agreement on his 2026 salary.
It’s precisely the Tigers who control the terms of any potential Tarik Skubal trade if they decide at some point to move him and extract value rather than risk losing him for nothing when he becomes a free agent.
The two-time Cy Young winner could elevate any franchise to the next level, and it would only be a matter of time before he secures a megadeal that could start at $400 million-assuming nothing happens that represents one of the most adverse scenarios for any player.
Will there be a salary cap in MLB?
This is the big question many analysts and fans are asking. There’s no doubt that a salary cap in Major League Baseball would change everything in terms of economic and financial competition.
In Tarik Skubal’s case, what is projected to be one of the most lucrative contracts for a pitcher could end up being significantly affected if a new collective bargaining agreement introduces such changes.
On December 1, 2026, at exactly 11:59 PM ET, the current MLB labor agreement expires, potentially paving the way for a lockout while a new deal is negotiated to set all the conditions-including player contracts.
Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies are among those most concerned, as they carry high payrolls, and this could fundamentally alter the rules of the game.
Could a salary cap exist in MLB?
As experts say, it’s one of the possibilities. Although players chasing big contracts could push back to prevent it, there could be a structure that protects players with smaller deals and avoids creating such a wide gap.
In the meantime, Tarik Skubal still doesn’t know his long-term destination, nor what his salary terms will be amid an ongoing dispute with the Detroit Tigers, who aren’t willing to bend.
With that in mind, the most likely outcome is that Skubal reaches free agency no matter what happens. That makes attempting to acquire him via trade intimidating, but it wouldn’t be the first time a player of his caliber hits the market as a “rental”. The New York Yankees have been through similar situations before, making them an intriguing fit if their rotation becomes an urgent need-as many in the media believe.
Would the Yankees consider a trade for Tarik Skubal?
This is where the Yankees enter the picture, even though it’s well known that the Tigers are demanding a massive package of players to make a deal to the Bronx happen. Skubal would be a key piece for the team, especially knowing that starters like Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón won’t be available for the rotation at the start of the season.
What doesn’t help the group’s players within the organization is their injury history, which could trigger a crisis for the team.
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