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By Shaun McAvoy
Contributing Sports Writer
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Detroit Tigers superstar hurler Tarik Skubal made MLB history this offseason by being awarded $32 million in his arbitration case.
Skubal's one-year, $32 million contract is the most that the MLB's arbitration system has ever awarded, and it is completely worth it for the back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner. The 29-year-old led the American League last season in WAR (6.5) and ERA (2.21) while striking out 241 batters, the most in his six-year career.
Despite winning two straight Cy Young awards and being named an All-Star in each of the past two seasons, the Tigers surprisingly have not extended the superstar hurler a long-term contract offer, even with his impending free agency next offseason.
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“There is no offer," Skubal said, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, “and there won't be an offer until the end of the season. … My focus is on playing baseball and winning this year. I’ll deal with the contract stuff at the end of the year, and then we'll kind of see. And that’s fine. It’s their decision."
Skubal is arguably the best pitcher in the league likely will sign one of the largest contracts in MLB history next offseason. The left-handed ace's name was tossed around in trade rumors this offseason, but after making it to the playoffs for two seasons in a row, the Tigers are not likely to trade him away.
Skubal is set to make one appearance in the World Baseball Classic with Team USA, but will then return to spring training to prepare for the regular season.
It will be interesting to see what kind of market Skubal garners next offseason if he can maintain his extremely high level of play this season.
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