RatkoVarda

I do not want the Tigers to sign Skubal to a 10/400 deal. It is likely the last few years could be ugly, perhaps very ugly, and the Tigers cannot risk having 40M+ in dead money on their books. That is a risk the bigger markets can take. 5 x 50 does not get it done, but I would try, and then watch him walk.

Skenes was paid 875K for his 6.5 WAR last year; the Pirates got a superstar performance for peanuts, and then re-allocated the money they would have had to pay a superstar pitcher right into the pockets of the owner, trotting out a bottom 5 payroll. Clearly the only solution to this problem is to limit the earning power of players, so billionaire owners can make higher profits.

I think that Skenes could ask for $32M in his 1st arbitration year. He is allowed to ask, but the arbitrators are supposed to focus on 1st and 2nd years salaries. If they think special circumstances merit $32M, so be it. Skenes, like Skubal and Ohtani, are unicorns. I have no problem if they are are compensated as such.

Current projected CB Tax payroll 2026: $233,614,050 In all seriousness, they have only $10M before they hit the first tax threshold, and that could limit them if they want to pick up a big bat at the trade deadline.

Skubal's 1st goal was to reset the arbitration market - DONE Skubal's 2nd goal is to reset the FA market - TBD (interestingly, Valdez reset the market for AAV for FA LH pitchers with yesterday's deal)

$ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7017277/2026/02/05/detroit-tigers-2026-top-20-prospects-keith-law/

Sexton ended up in Chicago, probably not a guy they are interested in re-signing. Would have greatly preferred to add Sexton to give Cade some ball handing relief, than wish-casting that Huerter is going to find his stroke.

this entire paragraph at mlbtraderumors is dead wrong. the CB picks can be counted when determining a team's 3rd pick, but, unless traded, the CB pick CANNOT be the pick that is forfeited, so they are going to lose the 98th pick for signing Valdez. Kind of incompetent for them not to know the rules. the story actually is this: the Tigers have gamed the system a little bit, as they are losing their 4th overall pick for signing a free agent

Ilitch now has the Tigers with a Top 10 payroll and less than 17M from the first competitive balance tax line. Someone needs to reign in his irresponsible spending!

Boras does not rep Valdez

I still think they are a RH bat short, as Jones is unlikely to repeat his 2025, Vierling is just solid and coming off multiple injuries. Maybe they do something at the end of ST, or maybe they wait and see how it goes, possibly with Anderson or Lee.

I'm 100% for the players

Skenes may make that much in his last year of arbitration, but until then, he is limited in what comps he can use in arbitration. maybe the new CBA would allow different comps to be used, but the current one would not.