Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day:
1. Skubal decision expected:
Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal went to an arbitration hearing with the Tigers yesterday, and a report from the Associated Press indicates that a decision on the matter is slated to be announced today. That decision will have substantial financial ramifications, not only for the Tigers and Skubal but for future high-end starting pitchers who go through the arbitration process. If the Tigers win, the ball won’t be moved forward for those pitchers at all as Skubal will be paid just $19MM, lower than the $19.6MM record David Price set during his final trip through arbitration over a decade ago. That scenario would presumably leave the Tigers with some additional spending power, even after adding Framber Valdez last night. If Skubal wins, the Tigers will add an extra $13MM in salary to their books as they pay him a hefty $32MM in his final season before free agency.
2. What’s next for the Padres?
The Padres have long been known to be hoping to find another bat and found one yesterday when they agreed to a $4MM deal with Miguel Andujar. The former Rookie of the Year runner-up is coming off his best season since that debut campaign; Andujar split the 2025 season between the A’s and Reds, slashing .318/.352/.470 (125 wRC+) in a platoon-heavy role where he torched lefties and was a slight bit above average versus righties. While Andujar has experience at all four corner positions, he’s a poor defender who figures to see plenty of DH work with San Diego. With Andujar aboard, will president of baseball operations A.J. Preller turn his attention towards acquiring a starter who can help fill the void left by Dylan Cease in the club’s rotation?
3. Are the Red Sox done?
The Red Sox reached an agreement with infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa yesterday, adding a talented and versatile defender to an infield that had questions at third base and second base. Though “IKF” raises the infield’s floor, he’s a well below-average hitter coming off a punchless .262/.297/.324 (75 wRC+) showing in 459 plate appearances — not exactly a replacement for the Alex Bregman-sized hole in Boston’s lineup.
It’s possible the Sox could go with some combination of Kiner-Falefa, Marcelo Mayer, David Hamilton, Nick Sogard, and Romy Gonzalez at second and third base, with Kristian Campbell or even Ceddanne Rafaela possibly mixing in, depending on health and performance (though indications are that the Red Sox prefer them in the outfield). It’s still unclear how much — if at all — Kiner-Falefa will impact the club’s pursuits of players like Isaac Paredes, Nico Hoerner, Matt Shaw, and other infield options on the trade market.
I think the Tigers knew Skubal is gone after the season so they went after Valdez. They might be dealing Skubal before the deadline to get something for him before he inevitably goes to a large market team.
@This one — Agreed. Dealing him would justify the Framber signing that will cost a comp pick they inevitably would return, plus more. I’m wondering though, since they signed Framber a day before Tarik’s arb case (determining his ’26 salary) is decided…if they are seriously considering dealing him before the season getting a more lucrative package. They could pivot and run it back with Verlander (still a free agent) with a team picking up Tarik’s now clear ’26 salary, and have added talent, possibly even MLB-ready talent going into spring training. They could even give a nice pillow deal to Boras client, Zak Gallen, since they’ve already lost one comp pick, and try and fill in the void of losing Tarik and still have a shot in a winnable division.
I think they know if he loses his arb case, he’ll never re-sign with them. They have to consider a trade. It’s the longer term, responsible move.
Why wait until the trade deadline?
Instead of paying Skubal $32M AND Valdez $38M, just pay one and get some major-league ready talent from the Mets, Dodgers, or Phillies. It’s sort of a jerk move to tell Skubal you shouldn’t pay him as much as Valdez but it’s a good business move if they get Brett Baty, David Peterson, and another prospect back from the Mets while still having an ace on your staff for basically the same price.
I am guessing if they get a package they like between now and then, they jump on it no matter when. Just my $.02.
They better get more than that from the Mets
Seriously? That’s the NYM’s pkg? Baty, 1 year of David Peterson and ‘another prospect’? That’s an awfully convenient package for NYM moving some spare parts. Tarik, even for 1 season, is a package that should hurt. They gave up their 2 & 6 prospects (Jett, Sproat) for 1 year of Peralta. Even with Baty (1 year of Peterson doesn’t register all that much), they need premium talent, esp. if not including #1 prospect McLean.
I think if the point is to try to win a World Series, not try to be mediocre indefinitely, you keep Skubal and take the compensation pick when he signs elsewhere.
I agree that the liklihood of the Tigers signing Skubal beyond this year, regardless of the arbitration outcome, is slim. I’m guessing Boras has not even hinted at what price it would take to sign Skubal. Skubal is 95% going to test free agency and the Tigers probably have a number they would like to offer (but have not expressed to Boras), but will wait until that 5 day window after the WS and FA opens to put it one the table. If Skubal just has a good year (he doesn’t need to win another CY) Boras will take the Tiger offer to the “field” and see who will top it.
I think what this does for the Tigers is they may have some pitching currency…and some prospects…to package at the trade deadline to get one of the top rental bats.
Is having six infielder for two positions a good thing? Asking for a friend
Dana Brown would say it’s a good thing.
What team is your friend talking about? Certainly not the Red Sox.
Take a minute and look at where these the Red Sox players have played defensively in the past.
You set the arguement for what happens to future arbitration pitchers if Skubal loses his case, what will a win today for Skubal mean for future arbitration cases going forward? This is potentially a ground breaking judgment.
To me, it feels like the Tigers think not playing baseball next year is real. This will be an exciting season for them. GO TIGERS !
I don’t want the Tigers to win. (Not even LSU). I do like LSU draft prospects though.
Marcelo Mayer has a plus arm and has shown good exit velocities and barrel rates. Give him the opportunity to be the regular third baseman, might be a surprisingly good choice.
Get your money Skubal. But that’s just an appetizer because Dodgers are going to pay him between 80 – 100 a year. Woooooo
The majority of Red Sox fans at MLBTR:
‘Get Schwarber, Get Alonso, Get Bichette, Get Abrams, Get Paredes.’
None of those moves were ever going to happen.
—-
Breslow point blank said he was looking for a Defensive 2B. And though I’d hoped for Marte, Hoerner or Shaw, it ended up being IKF (for now).
Breslow is building a team that most Sox fans cant comprehend. Pitching, Speed and Defense instead of Power, Base Clogging and Ks.
At least they Got Milk. 😁
Looking for positives in the IKF signing…
There’s another “layer” keeping Rafaela from playing 2B
IKF is serviceable depth when/if (when) either Story of Mayer misses time
It’s only one year
Infield defense has been huge deficiency for the Sox for several years
The starters all have strong grounder-inducing tendencies. Some will be hit at IKF.
IKF has a weird split in that he has better success vs RH pitching. I suppose that helps in a platoon w Romy
Until Breslow is in front of a microphone saying the roster is set, I’ll continue to hope the “big move” is still impending. However, IKF getting $6M of their budget is very discouraging.
Go Sox
“This one belongs to the Reds” yet again, whining about ‘big-market’ teams.
This guy, man, LOL… so insufferable.
Dude lives rent free in your head
You’re right, let’s let people complain endlessly.
The mute button is such an insufferable-empowering tool.
Let him complain, then. Got it.
I hate the mute button so much LOL.
FPG
Considering what Framber got ,what do you think Skubal will get when he becomes a free agent? You kind of scoffed when I said $ 45 m per .
Go team Skubal and Boras!
Red Sox aren’t done yet. I say that as I watch Brian Cashman get the old band together and take it on the road. A more profoundly unexciting off-season would take a lot of effort. Red Sox have a direction and pieces to move. That’s interesting,
💁🏼♀️ Red Sox are done adding, see you in 5 days (the 10th), FIRST FULL SQUAD WORKOUT on the 15th. ⚾️ ‼️
My issue is Romy was an excellent fill in, and that will be hard to fill, especially with Meyers penchant for injury. We needed a better bat at second and it seems now we have a lineup with another hole.
Are the Red Sox done? Yes, Red Sox are done like dinner…
Tigers only trade Skubal if they somehow are struggling into July.
I know I’m grasping at straws, and they’re bad for the environment but could IKF be this version of Pokey Reese?? 2004— born in Hawaii—Shane V 2013… Hope the oil on the Duck boats has been changed 🏆Let’s go Red Sox!!