Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, Josh Naylor, Randy Arozarena and more secure 8-figure paydays for 2025: Insider reports

With Thursday’s arbitration filing deadline looming, a flurry of eight-figure paydays was secured as players such as Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, Josh Naylor and Randy Arozarena all avoided arbitration with their respective clubs.

Here’s a look at the players who secured a substantial payday on Thursday:

• Framber Valdez, Houston Astros, $18 million
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays, $28.5 million
• Josh Naylor, Arizona Diamondbacks, $10.9 million
• Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks, $13.5 million
• Randy Arozarena, Seattle Mariners, $11.3 million
• Luis Arraez, San Diego Padres, $14 million
• Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres, $13.75 million
• Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers, $10.15 million

Numerous other players agreed to terms on Thursday with their respective clubs. However, the details of many other deals are not yet known.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. secured the biggest payday on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year, $28.5 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. The deal fell slightly short of Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto’s arbitration deals, topping $30 million.

It remains to be seen whether the players agreeing to terms today will eventually sign long-term extensions with their respective teams.

Tarik Skubal reportedly turned down long-term extension offer from Tigers

Tarik Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, reportedly turned down a long-term extension from the Detroit Tigers earlier this offseason, per the Detroit Free Press.

Scott Boras, Skubal’s agent, has been known to get his clients significant pay raises. Boras was the architect behind Juan Soto’s record-breaking deal with the New York Mets. As such, Skubal could be eyeing a deal similar to the $200+ million deals Corbin Burnes and Max Fried got this offseason.

The one-year, $10.15 million deal is a hefty pay raise from Skubal’s $2.65 million salary earned this past season. Skubal had a tremendous year, posting an 18-4 record to go with a 2.39 ERA in 192 innings.

Tarik Skubal was a workhorse for the Tigers, making 31 starts. He racked up 228 K’s compared to 35 walks. That performance earned him an All-Star appearance and the AL Triple Crown for pitchers. It was the first time since 2011 that a hurler led the league in wins, strikeouts and ERA.

There’s no indication that the Tigers and Skubal may be close to an extension at this point. The one-year deal, at least, avoids a messy arbitration hearing while buying both sides time to work out an extension during the season.

The Tigers will be eager to lock up their staff ace as the club looks to contend in the American League after making the playoffs last season.