DETROIT — It\u2019s been a quiet winter for the Detroit Tigers, but not a cheap one.<\/p>\n
The club\u2019s 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Even before Skubal is factored in, the Tigers\u2019 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\u2019s appetite for making another move.<\/p>\n 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 Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez ($1.4 million).<\/p>\n 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<\/a> on what was essentially a $7 million raise, while Jack Flaherty opted to return<\/a> on what amounted to a $5 million pay cut.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> (about $4.8 million), first baseman Spencer Torkelson (about $3.3 million) and utility man Zach McKinstry ($2.55 million).<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n What follows is a basic pre-spring snapshot of the Tigers\u2019 payroll, excluding Skubal and not accounting for bonuses, buyouts or in-season adjustments.<\/p>\n Guaranteed non-arbitration contracts ($74.8 million)<\/b><\/p>\n INF Javier Baez ($24 million)<\/p>\n INF Gleyber Torres ($22.03 million)<\/p>\n RHP Kenley Jansen ($9 million)<\/p>\n RHP Kyle Finnegan ($8.75 million)<\/p>\n RHP Drew Anderson ($7 million)<\/p>\n INF Colt Keith ($4 million)<\/p>\n Arbitration-eligible players ($54.7-$67.7 million)<\/b><\/p>\n LHP Tarik Skubal: $19-32 million<\/p>\n RHP Casey Mize: $6.15 million<\/p>\n OF Riley Greene: $5 million<\/p>\n IF Zach McKinstry: $4.2 million<\/p>\n 1B Spencer Torkelson: $4.075 million<\/p>\n RHP Will Vest: $3.95 million<\/p>\n OF Kerry Carpenter: $3.275 million<\/p>\n IF\/OF Matt Vierling: $3.255 million<\/p>\n C Jake Rogers: $3.05 million<\/p>\n LHP Tyler Holton: $1.575 million<\/p>\n RHP Beau Brieske: $1.158 million<\/p>\n Everybody else (about $10 million)<\/b><\/p>\n The remaining players under team control will make roughly the minimum salary of $780,000.<\/p>\n Other considerations (about $20 million)<\/b><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Estimated total<\/b>: $159.5-$172.5 million<\/p>\n