Skubal Arbitration Win Raises Questions for Pirates, Skenes

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal won his salary arbitration hearing Thursday, securing the $32 million figure he requested rather than the club’s $19 million offer.

The Cy Young Award winner and All-Star starter went 13-6 with a 2.21 ERA across 31 starts in 2025. He struck out 241 batters and produced 6.5 wins above replacement, further cementing his status among baseball’s elite pitchers.

Arbitration hearings are often uncomfortable by nature. Teams essentially argue why a player is not worth his requested salary, while players present the case that they are. Detroit’s position appeared more complicated given that the club signed left-hander Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million contract — including a $20 million signing bonus — just before the hearing, an average annual value of roughly $38.3 million.

Valdez posted a 3.66 ERA over 31 starts with 187 strikeouts. Solid numbers, but not at the level of Skubal’s recent production.

For Pittsburgh Pirates observers, the situation inevitably brings another name into focus: Paul Skenes.

Skenes has already established himself as one of baseball’s most dominant young pitchers. He is scheduled to become arbitration-eligible after the 2026 season, and given his trajectory, a significant payday appears inevitable.

Skubal earned $32 million after consecutive seasons producing 6.4 and 6.5 WAR. Skenes, meanwhile, delivered a 7.7 WAR campaign in 2025. By comparison, the largest single-season salary in Pirates history remains the $16.9 million paid to Mitch Keller — a figure that could soon be eclipsed.

Pittsburgh has been linked to major offseason pursuits but has yet to land a marquee addition. That reality raises a broader question about the organization’s financial willingness moving forward.

If the Pirates hope to keep their emerging ace long term — and contend in the National League Central — eventually they may have to spend like it.