While Detroit’s front office celebrates continuity in the dugout by extending manager A.J. Hinch’s contract, there’s another cornerstone they’re determined to keep in place–on the mound. Left-hander Tarik Skubal has emerged not just as the Tigers’ ace, but arguably as the best pitcher in baseball.
During a press conference after the Tigers‘ loss against the Mariners–that eliminated the team from the postseason–President of Baseball Operations, Scott Harris, spoke to the media, and, as expected, one of the main topics was the team’s plans for Skubal amid rising league interest.
“Tarik is a Tiger,” Harris said. “I hope he wins the Cy Young Award for the second consecutive year. He’s an incredible pitcher and we’re lucky to have him. …
“I can’t comment on our players being traded. I can’t comment on free agents. I can’t comment on other teams’ players. I’m going to respond by just not actually commenting on it.”
The Ace at the Center of Detroit’s Future
Skubal already owns a resume that rivals any arm in the league. The 2024 season saw him sweep the American League’s pitching Triple Crown–leading in ERA, strikeouts, and wins–while taking home his first Cy Young Award. This year, he’s been even sharper, posting a career-best 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts, cementing his status as one of the game’s elite.
“He’s the best pitcher in baseball. Like, he’s going to hopefully win a second Cy Young,” Harris said. “It would be arrogant and tone-deaf for me to claim that we could do all this stuff without him, but, on the other hand, it’s also offensive to the other players in the clubhouse to treat us as a one-player team.
“The fact is we’ve had Tarik and he’s made incredible contributions for the duration of his tenure with the Tigers, but especially the last two years. He’s gotten a lot better, he’s pitched huge games for us and this guy [Hinch] has done a really good job of keeping him healthy and performing at a really high level with how he’s managed him early in the season. He’s been a really huge part of what we’ve done here and it’s a blast to watch him pitch … He’s here and we’re glad he’s here.”
But dominance comes at a price. Skubal, 28, signed a $10.15 million, one-year contract last offseason to avoid arbitration and is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season. For Detroit to keep him long term, owner Chris Ilitch will have to open the checkbook, and keep it open.
Harris, though, insists there’s no hesitation when it comes to investing in the franchise’s ace.
“I have no concerns about that,” Harris said, hinting to Ilitch’s possible willingness to fund the payroll necessary to retain Detroit’s homegrown star.
The Tigers know what’s at stake. Losing a pitcher like Skubal would be a seismic blow to their upward trajectory–both competitively and symbolically. According to the Detroit Free Press, “Skubal has the potential to be the first pitcher in MLB history to receive a $400 million contract” after the 2026 season.
Who’s Looking at the Ace?
Skubal’s future beyond Detroit is already a subject of intense speculation. With one year left on his contract and free agency looming, multiple clubs stand out as logical suitors, especially those in need of a frontline arm. Below are a handful of teams that could make a serious pitch if he becomes available.
New York Mets
The Mets are frequently mentioned in Skubal trade chatter. With offensive firepower but rotation inconsistency, they represent a classic “best hitter in a weak rotation” situation. Their willingness to spend and need for elite pitching makes them a natural match if Detroit lets internal talks stall.
“The price is going to be very, very high. … It’s going to be expensive, there’s no way around it,” Jim Duquette said, proposing Jett Williams or Carson Benge, Brandon Sproat or Jonah Tong and Ryan Clifford be traded for Skubal.
Boston Red Sox
Boston has also come up in rumors as a team looking to solidify its rotation, particularly as it pairs potential aces together. Adding Skubal to Garrett Crochet in Boston would give them a dangerous 1-2 punch and signal serious postseason intent.
“Adding Skubal would not only help the Boston Red Sox forget about [Walker] Buehler, but it will also help them avenge an early playoff exit to rival New York Yankees this October,” Fansided’s Wynston Wilcox said.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays show up on several rumor lists thanks to their offensive strengths and need for pitching balance. According to Fancied, “pitching was a major problem for most of the season for the Blue Jays and adding Skubal can start to solve that.”
Seattle Mariners
Though less widely reported, Seattle is often floated as a possibility in “next stops” lists for Skubal. With the Mariners striving to remain competitive and bolster their rotation, Skubal would immediately become their ace. The geographic fit (Pacific Northwest) might also appeal to Skubal’s preferences and lifestyle, considering he went to college and pitched at Seattle University.
Why Detroit Might Trade (or Lose) Him Anyway
It’s important to remember that any of these landing spots depend on Detroit’s willingness, or inability, to offer a long-term extension. The Tigers face tough decisions: pay up, roll the dice on retaining him for one more season, or trade high.
“Since the Tigers were eliminated in the ALDS, there’s already been chatter on whether Skubal could become available in a trade this offseason,” The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner said. “If the Tigers know they don’t have the ability to retain him in free agency next offseason, it would make sense to trade him now and maximize the package they receive.
“Obviously, Detroit should just pay Skubal considering he’s the best pitcher in the sport, but whether they can keep him is an open question.”
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