DETROIT — It’s been a quiet winter for the Detroit Tigers, but not a cheap one.

The club’s payroll increase has come without splashy additions, driven largely by arbitration growth and one unresolved variable at the top of the roster: the ongoing salary fight with ace starter Tarik Skubal.

Even before Skubal is factored in, the Tigers’ spending is already about $16 million higher than at this time last year and could be as much as $29 million higher if they lose the case. With spring training approaching, that outcome could shape the club’s appetite for making another move.

The payroll increase has come despite roughly $40 million coming off the books from departed players. The Tigers entered last season with right-handed pitchers Alex Cobb ($15 million), Kenta Maeda ($10 million), Jason Foley ($3.15 million), Tommy Kahnle ($7.75 million) and John Brebbia ($2.75 million). All have departed, along with infielder Andy Ibáñez ($1.4 million).

The Tigers have added pitchers Kenley Jansen ($9 million salary in 2026), Kyle Finnegan ($8.75 million) and Drew Anderson ($7 million) on free-agent deals. They also brought back second baseman Gleyber Torres on what was essentially a $7 million raise, while Jack Flaherty opted to return on what amounted to a $5 million pay cut.

A significant portion of the payroll increase comes from raises to arbitration-eligible players. Even before the Skubal situation is resolved, the Tigers are set to hand out about $21 million just in arbitration raises. Right-hander Casey Mize will make about $3.8 million more than his base salary in 2025. Other notable increases include outfielder Riley Greene (about $4.8 million), first baseman Spencer Torkelson (about $3.3 million) and utility man Zach McKinstry ($2.55 million).

Skubal is seeking $32 million in arbitration, while the Tigers have offered $19 million, a historic $13 million gap for a player who made $10.15 million in 2025.

What follows is a basic pre-spring snapshot of the Tigers’ payroll, excluding Skubal and not accounting for bonuses, buyouts or in-season adjustments.

Guaranteed non-arbitration contracts ($74.8 million)

INF Javier Baez ($24 million)

INF Gleyber Torres ($22.03 million)

RHP Kenley Jansen ($9 million)

RHP Kyle Finnegan ($8.75 million)

RHP Drew Anderson ($7 million)

INF Colt Keith ($4 million)

Arbitration-eligible players ($54.7-$67.7 million)

LHP Tarik Skubal: $19-32 million

RHP Casey Mize: $6.15 million

OF Riley Greene: $5 million

IF Zach McKinstry: $4.2 million

1B Spencer Torkelson: $4.075 million

RHP Will Vest: $3.95 million

OF Kerry Carpenter: $3.275 million

IF/OF Matt Vierling: $3.255 million

C Jake Rogers: $3.05 million

LHP Tyler Holton: $1.575 million

RHP Beau Brieske: $1.158 million

Everybody else (about $10 million)

The remaining players under team control will make roughly the minimum salary of $780,000.

Other considerations (about $20 million)

The Tigers are not expected to come close to the $244 million luxury-tax threshold, making this largely moot. For luxury-tax purposes, however, roughly $20 million would be added to cover player benefits, pre-arbitration bonus pool contributions and other costs.

Estimated total: $159.5-$172.5 million

While this remains a ballpark estimate, those who calculate payroll down to the penny, such as salary guru Ethan Hullihen, place the Tigers’ projected 2026 payroll squarely in the middle of the pack among the league’s 30 teams.

An adverse Skubal ruling could push the Tigers to the edge of the top 10, potentially higher than they have ranked since 2017, the year they finished shedding most of their expensive contracts and began a full-scale rebuild. It could also signal that the Tigers are finished spending for 2026.