Tarik Skubal and the Tigers reach amicable end and will chase a title together

A three-person arbitration panel awarded Tarik Skubal a record $32 million, and the Tigers added left-hander Framber Valdez on a three-year deal; the team and Skubal appear to have resolved a tense offseason as they head into spring training.

DETROIT — A winter of trade rumors and a headline arbitration hearing has wound down with Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers moving into the same season together. A three-person arbitration panel set Skubal's salary at a record $32 million, and the club also agreed to terms with left-hander Framber Valdez. Those developments, plus comments from team officials and media reports, have softened public tension ahead of spring training. Key developments: - A three-person arbitration panel awarded Tarik Skubal $32 million, the largest salary granted in MLB arbitration history. - The Tigers agreed to a three-year, $115 million deal with left-hander Framber Valdez; the contract is reported as pending a physical and Valdez is expected to slot behind Skubal in the rotation. - Reports say the Tigers have no plans to trade Skubal despite the higher salary, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. - The team is projected to enter the year with a competitive-balance payroll near $233 million, the highest in franchise history. - Spring training is set to start next week, and Skubal will begin the 2026 season looking to join the small group of pitchers with three straight Cy Young awards. Summary: The arbitration ruling and the Valdez signing appear to have ended much of the offseason public tension, leaving the Tigers with a reinforced starting rotation as they enter spring training. Undetermined at this time are how the season will progress, including outcomes at the trade deadline or future contract developments.