Tigers reportedly parting ways with $400M Cy Young winner, passing Kyle Tucker as hottest name on market

Hunter Cookston

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Tigers reportedly parting ways with $400M Cy Young winner, passing Kyle Tucker as hottest name on market image

The Detroit Tigers suffered an end-of-year collapse, losing the division to the Cleveland Guardians. Since the season ended, the biggest storyline has centered on Tarik Skubal and his future in Detroit. While most expected the Tigers to lock up their ace, the team appears to be doing the exact opposite.

“Two things I believe to be true. 1. Scott Boras and Tarik Skubal want to hit free agency a year from now. No extension this offseason. 2. The Tigers are not going all in to win with Skubal in 2026,” 97.1 The Ticket’s Jim Costa posted.

The Tigers have reportedly been in extension talks with Skubal, but at this point, it seems almost like a joke due to the massive gap in money. The difference is so large that it’s nearly laughable.

“The Tigers and superstar pitcher Tarik Skubal have a lot of work to do if they’re going to bridge quite possibly the biggest gap in MLB negotiating history: an estimated quarter of a billion dollars. Yep, that’s not a misprint. It’s close to $250 million,” New York Post’s Jon Heyman wrote.

With all of this coming to light, Detroit finds itself in a difficult position. The team either needs to pay up or get something in return. It seems the franchise has already made its decision.

“The Tigers will ‘likely’ shop Tarik Skubal during winter meetings, per Jim Bowden,” the Detroit Times posted.

With Skubal now reportedly on the trade block, Kyle Tucker suddenly has competition for the hottest name on the market. There’s no doubt that Skubal is a special talent, and whichever team lands him will have to pay a hefty price.

Skubal wants to get paid—and he wants to win. One of baseball’s higher-profile teams is bound to go all in for him. The offseason hasn’t even officially begun, and it’s already heating up.

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