Former division rival who has no business talking blasts Tigers over Tarik Skubal

With the Detroit Tigers and ace pitcher Tarik Skubal set to square off in an arbitration hearing, seemingly everyone has an opinion. That includes players who have no real business chiming in like former Minnesota Twin Josh Donaldson.

The opinionated Donaldson did not hold back on the Tigers, writing on social media: "A little behind but just saw the arbitration news on Skubal. I mean the Detroit Tigers fumble this big time. Skubal wants 32 mill Detroit offers 19 mill. Trash organization.”

Josh Donaldson takes aim at Tigers over Tarik Skubal arbitration case

Now, it is not a huge surprise to see a former player come to the defense of a current player. Typically, players like to see their counterparts get paid which is why the idea of a salary cap in baseball is such a non-starter with the MLB Player's Association.

Still, it is not really Donaldson's place to come after the Tigers in this dispute. The former third baseman spent a few seasons with Minnesota back in 2020 and 2021, with the latter year being his last decent season as a big leaguer.

He slashed .247/.352/.475 with 26 home runs and 72 runs batted in that year before a steady decline that culminated with his retirement following the 2023 season.

It is not "trash" for the Tigers to submit a figure that is not wildly out of step with typical arbitration numbers. $19 million is a little light when one takes into consideration the fact that Skubal is the two-time reigning Cy Young winner in the American League and is arguably the best pitcher in baseball, but the Tigers have practiced a "file-and-trial" approach even since Scott Harris became president of baseball operations so this is simply how they do business.

Skubal and his camp were completely entitled to submit a number like $32 million, even if that may be more of a negotiation tactic from Skubal's agent Scott Boras ahead of Skubal's free agency which could net the ace the richest contract for a pitcher in MLB history.

Perhaps the Skubal situation will force the Tigers to consider some other options like bringing in MacKenzie Gore via trade to guard against Skubal's likely departure in free agency. It has been known for some time that the Tigers were unlikely to try to retain him, so their approach to his arbitration makes sense given that fact.

Donaldson may not agree with it, but the Tigers could not care less as they look to do what is best for the team.