# Skubal's 30s: History's clues for free agent

> How Skubal's 30s performance might compare to baseball legends.
- Title: Skubal's 30s: History's clues for free agent · Mlb | Shortify
- Summary: How Skubal's 30s performance might compare to baseball legends. Skubal could maintain elite pitching into his 30s like Maddux, Clemens or Verlander, but…
- Keywords: tarik skubal, free agent, cy young awards, pitcher performance, baseball history, injury risks, 30s pitching, mlb
- Source: Mlb — https://mlb.com/news/tarik-skubal-projection-scenarios-for-free-agent-deal
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tarik skubal, free agent, cy young awards, pitcher performance, baseball history, injury risks, 30s pitching, mlb, sports
## Skubal's elite run
Skubal has two Cy Young Awards, a 2.42 ERA, 171 ERA+ and 655 strikeouts over 546 innings since 2024.
## Historical comparison group
11 pitchers compared to Skubal: 7 with 30s success, 3 with 30s decline, 1 with injury setbacks.
## Dream cases: Longevity
Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens and Justin Verlander pitched into their 40s with elite performance.
## Good cases: Moments of excellence
Clayton Kershaw and Pedro Martinez had strong 30s performances despite eventual decline.
## Complicated cases: Injuries
Chris Sale and Gerrit Cole showed resilience but faced injury interruptions in their 30s.
## Disappointing cases: Early exits
Adam Wainwright and Jake Arrieta had significant declines after their peak 30s seasons.
## Worst cases: Career-ending injuries
Brandon Webb and Johan Santana were cut short by major injuries before their 30s ended.
## Key risk: Injuries
Seven of 11 pitchers lost significant time to injuries during their first half of 30s.
## Skubal's health history
Skubal underwent Tommy John surgery in college, flexor tendon surgery in 2022 and elbow procedure in 2026.
## Best-case scenario
Skubal could match Maddux, Clemens or Verlander's longevity into his late 30s.
## What happens next
Skubal's next contract success depends on his ability to stay on the mound through his 30s.
## Key takeaway

Skubal could maintain elite pitching into his 30s like Maddux, Clemens or Verlander, but injuries and age remain key risks.