Tigers' Tarik Skubal brought both Cy Young awards to arbitration hearing

The Detroit Tigers went to arbitration with ace Tarik Skubal, and the lefty won, earning a $32 million contract for the 2026 season instead of the Tigers' offered $19 million.

It was a record-breaking deal for Skubal, and he was able to win over the arbitration panel thanks to some convincing arguments. But, there might not be a more convincing argument than his two Cy Youngs.

And according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Skubal brought both Cy Young awards to the arbitration hearing. He was ready to use them to bolster his case. But Skubal didn't need them, and never actually brought them out to help his case.

Tigers' Tarik Skubal brings Cy Young Awards to arbitration hearing

"While Skubal also brought his Cy Young Award plaques to his hearing, he never presented them to the arbitrator, according to people in the room," Rosenthal writes. "His agent, Scott Boras, wanted the awards available in case he needed to make a point. But he chose not to bring them out, believing he could prove his case without using props."

Skubal and Scott Boras could've pulled a Tim Lincecum, bringing his Cy Young Awards to the arbitration hearing. They did have them at the ready, but they never actually presented them to the Arbitrator.

It's an incredible move for Skubal to not only win the record-setting $32 million arbitration but also have an ace up his sleeve ready to be deployed if needed.

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But, Rosenthal reports that the arbitration hearing didn't utilize the awards, as Skubal and Boras were able to make their case to the panel, winning the hearing to land a record-setting $32 million payday.

While the panel wasn't blind to Skubal's back-to-back Cy Young awards, seeing them in person might have helped to drive the point home that he is deserving of this major raise.

But Boras and Skubal didn't need them, as his on-field accomplishments, reputation, and argument during the hearing were more than enough for the arbitration panel to side with him.

Skubal is now making $32 million, a $13 million boost from the Tigers' offer, and he did so without using his back-to-back Cy Young awards, which he had at the ready during the hearings.

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