The Detroit Tigers are facing a pivotal moment. Tarik Skubal is entering the final year of team-control and the organization must decide whether to commit long-term or risk losing him. According to an insider, the gap between what the Tigers have offered and what Skubal will command is “ocean-sized.”
From a team‐building standpoint, retaining Skubal isn’t just about one pitcher; it signals to the remainder of the roster that Detroit is serious about competing. Conversely, letting him walk (or trading him) could be taken as the Tigers prioritizing financial flexibility over maximizing their current window. The stakes are high.
The Benchmark Number
Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden recently suggested that if the Tigers are to meaningfully engage in extension talks with Skubal’s camp (represented by powerhouse agent Scott Boras), the starting point has to be upwards $300 million.
“The next offer they need to make has to start at $350 million,” Bowden said. “You have to come out right away and show Scott Boras that you’re gonna respect him and you’re gonna make him the highest paid pitcher in Major League history, that’s where the offer starts then you see where [Boras] goes from that … if you can get it done between $350M and $400M, I think Scott Harris is gonna tell Chris Ilitch ‘let’s do it.’”
It is a clear signal that unless the Tigers change mindset and payroll philosophy, the chances of getting a deal done shrink dramatically.
Why He Demands Such a Number
Skubal isn’t just a “good” pitcher; he’s on the cusp of being one of the game’s elite. He is entering his prime, and his repertoire (including a high‐velocity fastball and one of the nastiest sliders in the league) places him in the upper echelon of starting arms.
In the 2025 season, the almost 29-year-old backed it up with historic numbers. He posted a 13-6 record with a league-leading 2.21 ERA over 195 1/3 innings and recorded 241 strikeouts. His WHIP was 0.89 (the best in Major League Baseball), and he struck out batters at an elite rate while limiting walks (33) far better than nearly every other qualified starter. On top of all that, he captured his second consecutive American League Cy Young Award, becoming one of the few pitchers in MLB history to win back-to-back Cy Youngs.
When you combine his age, performance trajectory and left-handedness (which remains a premium commodity), it becomes clear why his market value is soaring. If he hits free agency, he’s poised to shatter previous benchmarks and command one of the most lucrative contracts ever for a pitcher. Detroit’s ability to counter that is in question.
Executives Have Their Eyes on Skubal
Skubal’s name has come up repeatedly at recent GM meetings, with one executive saying he’d be “surprised” if Detroit traded him, but that teams are absolutely trying.
“It’s going to take an enormous offer to get the Tigers to even consider it,” an AL executive said. “Maybe one of the biggest ever for a player on an expiring contract.”
According to MLB.com, “He [Skubal] earned $10.15 million in 2025 and will be due a healthy raise in his final year of arbitration eligibility.”
The Tigers’ Dilemma: Spend Now or Roll the Dice
For the Tigers, the decision isn’t just about one contract; it’s about financial strategy and competitive timing. Committing $350+ million to a single player ties up resources that could otherwise go toward reinforcing the roster, but letting Skubal leave or trade means sacrificing an elite anchor for the rotation.
If Detroit doesn’t hit Bowden’s suggested number, the gamble is that they hope to fill the void via internal development, lesser contracts, or rotate multiple players in his stead. But losing a home-grown superstar like Skubal could also have intangible costs: fan perception, clubhouse morale and long‐term credibility in free‐agent discussions.
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