The Detroit Tigers knew that the offseason would revolve around what happened with Tarik Skubal’s contractual situation, as he was entering the final year of team control over their ace. The reality is that a Tarik Skubal trade was always on the table, but at this point nothing has materialized.
Even recently, it came to light that the New York Yankees had approached, but they felt that the Detroit organization “wanted half the team,” something that is practically impossible even knowing all the potential of the Cy Young winner.
The situation has heated up after the MLB arbitration deadline, as the team and Skubal are now heading to a salary arbitration hearing with the largest economic gap in history: $19 million vs. $32 million, respectively.
Baseball super-agent Scott Boras has spoken out and clarified that they want to negotiate before the hearing, but the Tigers front office has decided not to do so, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press.
Boras blasts the Tigers for the stalemate
“There are no deadlines for negotiating, other than when we go to the hearing and turn the case over to arbitrators,” Boras said. “There’s no baseball rule that says you can’t negotiate. It’s the Tigers’ philosophy where they stop negotiations, but that’s their choice, not ours. We’re continuing to negotiate, and we’ll always do so in good faith – up until the hearing when the arbitrators decide… We are open to negotiate. There are no deadlines from Tarik Skubal’s camp.”
The reality is that there is a very wide financial gap-with $13 million in between-and even though Skubal has made it clear he wants to stay in Detroit, that doesn’t mean he will accept the conditions.
This leaves both sides in a worrying position: the relationship is deteriorating and a hearing appears inevitable. The Tigers could enjoy one more year with one of the best pitchers in baseball, but in the end it will be other teams-among them the Yankees and perhaps the Los Angeles Dodgers-who will rub their hands together waiting to pursue his services once he hits MLB free agency.
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