Top 4 Trade Landing Spots for Tarik Skubal After Record-Breaking Arbitration Award

After rightfully winning his arbitration hearing with the Detroit Tigers, two-time Cy Young ace Tarik Skubal's days with the Detroit Tigers are numbered. It might be the trade deadline, or it might be in free agency next winter, but his $32 million salary awarded by the arbitrator for 2026 all but ensures that the writing is on the wall for Skubal.

In free agency, he'll likely be able to command a $400 million—or better—deal.

To be clear, the Tigers are currently saying they are planning on going for it this year with the Skubal/Framber Valdez one-two punch at the top of their rotation. But it's pretty clear that the Valdez signing—however overpriced it was—is Detroit's way of covering itself for when Skubal is gone.

With that, here are the top 4 destinations for Skubal — whenever it comes to pass.

Baltimore Orioles

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: The Orioles need an ace to head up their staff. They traded for Corbin Burnes two years ago, but then let him walk in free agency last year. They spent big on their offense this winter, signing Pete Alonso. But for some reason, they just haven't opened up the vault to spend on their rotation. Maybe Skubal will be the one who makes them flinch.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Of course, this is the obvious one. They are always in on the biggest stars in the game. And they usually get them. But let's continue this exercise with the assumption that somehow, Skubal doesn't want to go to LA.

New York Mets

Another team that can spend to its heart's delight. Skubal could join newly-acquired Freddy Peralta for a sensational one-two punch at the top of their rotation. The Mets can throw as much cash at Skubal as he wants, just like the Dodgers can. It's just a matter of whether he wants to be on the East Coast, or the West. Whether he wants to cede the spotlight to the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and all the other superstar names on the Dodgers, or does he want to be THE MAN in New York?

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phils aren't afraid to spend, either. They are a loaded team, but, as Paul Kasabian notes in Bleacher Report, "they aren't getting any younger, with five projected starters between 32-34 years of age. The starting pitching staff could use help, with Ranger Suárez leaving town for the Boston Red Sox, staff ace Zack Wheeler working his way back from venous thoracic outlet syndrome (hopefully he returns to 100 percent health ASAP) and Aaron Nola coming off a year where he posted a 6.01 ERA."