Bonus: Expert explains why Tarik Skubal beat Detroit Tigers in record arbitration case

Bonus: Expert explains why Tarik Skubal beat Detroit Tigers in record arbitration case

From Days of Roar: A Free Press Sports Detroit Tigers Podcast by Detroit Free Press

February 6, 2026 · 20 min

About this episode

The episode discusses Tarik Skubal's record-breaking arbitration case against the Detroit Tigers with insights from expert Mike Smith.

Left-hander Tarik Skubal took down the Detroit Tigers in a record-breaking arbitration case, securing a $32 million salary for the 2026 season rather than the $19 million proposed by the Tigers. To break down the case, former Tigers executive Mike Smith joins Evan Petzold for a special "Days of Roar" bonus episode. Smith, an expert in salary arbitration, takes a detailed look at the historic showdown between the Tigers and Skubal, including how the process works — and what ultimately decided the case for the back-to-back American League Cy Young winner. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.   Read Evan's most recent work here

People in this episode

Host: Evan Petzold

Guest: Mike Smith

Topics covered

  • arbitration
  • salary negotiation
  • Detroit Tigers
  • Tarik Skubal
  • baseball
  • sports
  • Cy Young

Keywords

  • Tarik Skubal
  • Detroit Tigers
  • arbitration
  • salary
  • Mike Smith
  • Evan Petzold
  • Cy Young
  • baseball
  • sports

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Detroit Tigers, Detroit Free Press

Books & works: Days of Roar

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