Tigers' Tarik Skubal's future in Detroit under microscope with one extreme caveat in play

Hunter Cookston

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Tigers' Tarik Skubal's future in Detroit under microscope with one extreme caveat in play image

The Detroit Tigers ended their season on a disappointing note, losing the ALCS to the Seattle Mariners in the most heartbreaking fashion imaginable. The Tigers will now wait until the winter meetings, when they can begin making moves again. However, manager A.J. Hinch is receiving most of the blame for the Game 5 loss after pulling ace Tarik Skubal far too early.

“Pulling Skubal after 99 pitches? Man, unless he's truly gassed and said he's done that seems like a gamble,” Dodgers writer Blake Harris wrote.

It made little sense for Skubal to be taken out, especially when the Tigers relied on him so heavily just to reach the postseason.

“If Skubal is starting Tuesday, that puts him in line to start the regular-season finale against the Red Sox at Fenway Park should the Tigers need to squeeze out a win on the final day of the 2025 campaign. It's not a scenario anybody wants, and it'll put Skubal's availability for a potential Wild Card series in jeopardy, but the Tigers need to prepare for the worst-case scenario given how poorly they have played for over two months now,” Motor City Bengals’ Colin Keane wrote.

Now, the concern is whether the Tigers can retain him after the 2026 season. The harsh reality is pointing toward the worst possible outcome.

“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.

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Even though he still has one more year in Detroit, this is not a good look for the Tigers. Skubal is the best pitcher the organization has had in years, and they don’t seem prepared to make a serious effort to keep him.

Skubal is going to get paid — whether it’s by the Tigers or another team. The southpaw has earned the big contract that’s coming his way.

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Hunter Cookston

Hunter Cookston began his career as a sportswriter for the Marion Tribune, where he covered local high school football, basketball and baseball. His passion for sports started at the age of four when he played his first year of tee ball. Growing up in Tennessee, he developed a deep love for the Tennessee Volunteers and Atlanta Braves. Hunter is currently attending Tennessee Wesleyan University, where he is pursuing a BA in Sports Communications/Management.