If you’re the Cincinnati Reds front office, you’re probably not watching the Tarik Skubal arbitration drama just for the entertainment value. Sure, Skubal is a back-to-back Cy Young winner who’s become one of the most dominant arms in the game, and yeah, every team in baseball would love to have that kind of ace. But that’s not the real reason the Reds should be paying close attention to what’s unfolding in Detroit.
This is about Brady Singer - and what his value might look like if the Tigers get burned in arbitration.
Right now, Skubal and the Tigers are locked in a standoff that’s turning heads across the league. Skubal filed at $32 million, while Detroit came back with $19 million - a gap so wide it set a record for arbitration cases.
That’s not just a disagreement; that’s a canyon. And with Detroit sticking to a “file-and-trial” approach, this could easily go the distance into February, leaving the Tigers with more than just a bruised budget.
Here’s where the Reds come in.
They’ve already locked in Singer for 2026 at $12.75 million, avoiding arbitration altogether. It’s a fair number for a pitcher in his final year before free agency - not cheap, but not elite-tier expensive either. And that’s exactly the kind of profile that might start looking real attractive to a team like Detroit, especially if they walk away from the Skubal hearing licking their wounds.
If the Tigers lose - or even if they win but end up paying closer to Skubal’s number than their own - they’ll be looking to stabilize their rotation without adding another massive salary. That’s where Singer fits the bill.
He’s not Skubal, but he’s a reliable arm who can eat innings and keep the rotation afloat while Detroit figures out its long-term moves. Think of him as a bridge - not flashy, but sturdy.
And for Cincinnati, that’s where the opportunity lies.
The Reds don’t necessarily need Singer in 2026. What they need is what Singer could bring back in a trade.
If Detroit becomes a motivated buyer - and all signs point to that being a real possibility - Cincinnati could flip one year of Singer for something that better aligns with their long-term plan. Maybe that’s a controllable bat.
Maybe it’s a high-leverage bullpen arm. Maybe it’s a prospect package that actually moves the needle.
This isn’t about dreaming on Skubal in a Reds uniform. This is about understanding the ripple effects of his arbitration case and being ready to capitalize.
The Reds aren’t the type of organization to outspend their problems. They win on timing, value, and smart roster construction.
And right now, Detroit’s arbitration headache might just be Cincinnati’s leverage point.
If the Tigers start shopping for a stabilizer, the Reds need to be ready to pick up the phone.