Cam Schlittler could land $115M extension from Yankees thanks in part to Tarik Skubal

The New York Yankees are going to have an interesting question to answer this offseason: should they sign Cam Schlittler to a huge contract extension?

It's a really interesting dilemma, because there's reason to do so to try to lock him up for his free-agent seasons on a cheaper deal, but they could also be more cautious. However, if they do try to sign him, it might reach $115 million.

Tim Britton of The Athletic projected a seven-year, $115 million deal for Schlittler for a few reasons, one of which is Tarik Skubal. But how would Skubal impact Schlittler's contract? His record-setting arbitration result is a huge factor.

Cam Schlittler can thank Tarik Skubal for $115M projection

"First, Tarik Skubal won his arbitration case against the Tigers in the winter, smashing the previous record for a pitcher in arb," Britton writes.

That record Skubal broke was Corbin Burnes' $32.147 million over three seasons of arbitration. Skubal, in one round of arbitration this past offseason, got $32 million, totaling $44.8 million in arbitration the last three seasons.

So, how does that record-setting arbitration number for Skubal impact Schlittler? Well, the Yankees' ace could land a similar, if not larger, arbitration number in a few years.

As Britton writes, "If Schlittler is carrying a Cy Young before hitting arbitration, he's got a chance to approach Skubal's record."

Schlittler is likely the frontrunner for the Cy Young this season, and if he were to win the award, then his arbitration number could, justifiably, be similar to what Skubal just got.

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That, combined with Chase Burns signing a $105 million extension this season without any club options, means the Yankees have a clear set of benchmarks to break.

"Put that all together, and you're talking about seven years and $115 million," Britton projects for Schlittler's potential contract extension.

Signing Schlittler to a long-term deal won't come cheap, and for good reason. He looks like one of the best young pitchers in baseball at 25 years old, with a 2.19 ERA this season.

Schlittler will likely land a massive contract in the future, and the Yankees signing him now could cost them upwards of $115 million over seven years, as Britton projects. That figure could climb higher with another Cy Young, or if the Yankees continue to wait.

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