Tarik Skubal says union stays strong after tony clark resigns

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, who serves on the MLB Players Association executive subcommittee, pushed back against any suggestion the union is weakened after executive director tony clark resigned on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. With less than 10 months until the collective bargaining agreement expires, players and union leaders are signaling continuity even as leadership questions and investigations linger.

Players emphasize unity and continuity

Skubal, a two-time reigning American League Cy Young winner and a subcommittee member since December 2024, told reporters the departure does not alter the union’s mission. "It's tough, obviously, the stuff that I've seen so far, but it doesn't really change the state of the union, " he said, adding that the union remains focused on the players' priorities.

He joined seven other players on the executive subcommittee: Marcus Semien, Chris Bassitt, Jake Cronenworth, Paul Skenes, Brent Suter, Pete Fairbanks and Cedric Mullins. Skubal stressed that those representatives, along with the broader membership, are prepared to maintain pressure on bargaining goals and protect player interests as talks approach.

The union released a statement reiterating the membership’s solidarity: "As always, the players remain focused on their ongoing preparations for collective bargaining this year. The strength of this union is – and always will be – the solidarity of our membership. " That message underscores the immediate priority for many players: keeping bargaining preparations on track.

Interim leadership and bargaining outlook

Bruce Meyer, the deputy executive director and the union’s lead negotiator, is widely viewed as the top candidate to serve as interim chief. Skubal voiced confidence in that setup, noting Bruce has handled negotiations in the past and will remain the point person in talks with the league. "I don't think this has any impact on negotiating, " Skubal said. "Bruce has been our lead negotiator, and he's done it in the past. "

The collective bargaining agreement is set to expire at 11: 59 p. m. ET on Dec. 1, 2026, a deadline that makes the coming negotiation window one of the most consequential in recent memory. Team ownership is expected to push for measures such as a salary cap, a proposal that would sharply alter the economic landscape of the sport. Players on the subcommittee and union staff have been laying groundwork for that fight, with an emphasis on unity and clear priorities going into bargaining season.

Skubal acknowledged that while tony clark was a visible face of the union for more than a decade, day-to-day negotiating work has long been shouldered by a broader team. He expressed confidence in the experienced professionals who will step up during the transition and in the player representatives who will hold the line on key issues.

Investigations, optics and what comes next

The resignation follows an internal investigation that found an inappropriate relationship between clark and a union employee who is his sister-in-law. There is also an ongoing federal inquiry into the union's finances. Those developments have created a challenging backdrop for the union even as it prepares for high-stakes bargaining later this year.

Skubal said he respects clark as a former player and acknowledged the difficulty of the decision to step down, but declined to elaborate on sensitive details. He emphasized that the union has a history of fighting for player rights and that the membership's solidarity will determine the outcome of future disputes.

For now, players and staff appear intent on moving forward without distraction. With the CBA deadline approaching and leadership temporarily shifting toward experienced negotiators, the coming months will test that resolve. Skubal and his subcommittee colleagues will be central figures as the MLBPA attempts to present a united front at the bargaining table and navigate the investigations now in play.