A new ranking of the 20 largest contracts ever signed by Major League Baseball pitchers highlights the escalating value of elite arms, with Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal projected to surpass the current record.
The list, compiled by USA TODAY Sports' Jesse Yomtov, was published on November 6, 2026. It details the financial commitments teams have made to top pitchers, reflecting the premium placed on starting pitching in the modern game.
Skubal, who has emerged as one of the American League's most dominant starters, is expected to command a deal that would eclipse the previous high-water mark for a pitcher's contract.
