The Detroit Tigers lost in one of the wildest games in Major League Baseball history to the Seattle Mariners. After 15.5 innings of tight baseball, the Mariners eked out a win over Detroit on a walk-off single to right field.
It was an instant classic game, and it all began with Tigers ace Tarik Skubal on the mound. Skubal and the Tigers had lost the last three matchups against the Mariners this season, and in Game 5, the Tigers couldn't muster enough offense to get over the hump.
After the game, Skubal was asked what his future with the Tigers looks like. Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic shared his response, which deflected on what his future holds, instead emphasizing his focus is on the field, not off it.
Tarik Skubal says it's 'not his job' to worry about the Tigers' future
"That's not my job," Skubal said, "to do anything other than play. Those questions should be asked toward the front office and the people that make those decisions, but my job is to go out there and play."
Will Tarik Skubal talk w/ the Tigers about his future or the direction of the org?
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) October 11, 2025
"That’s not my job, to do anything other than play. Those questions should be asked toward the front office and the people that make those decisions, but my job is to go out there and play."
While the Tigers will have just one final year with Skubal under team control in 2026, the ace isn't concerning himself with those discussions at this time. While he'll be looking to sign a likely record-setting contract, for now, Skubal isn't taking any strong stance.
Detroit would likely want to retain him, as letting a player of his caliber walk for nothing would be a complete disaster. And trading him would be a massive blow, though it could be the best path forward if Skubal is adamant he won't sign an extension with Detroit.
However, those conversations are for later, and not for Skubal. He isn't focusing on his upcoming free agency, instead focusing on producing on the mound for Detroit.
More: Tigers owner Chris Ilitch comments on a Tarik Skubal extension after Wild Card win
This season, Skubal had a 2.21 ERA with a 13-6 record and 241 strikeouts in another season that will likely end in a Cy Young award. If he does win, it'd be his second-straight Cy Young award. He deserves it, and it'd only increase the payday he'll get once he signs.
His playoff performances will also help him ink a huge deal. He made three starts this postseason, each of which was a quality start. Against the Cleveland Guardians, he went 7.2 innings, allowing just one run with 14 strikeouts.
His first game against Seattle was a solid one, going seven innings and giving up two runs, both coming on Jorge Polanco's solo home runs. Game 5 saw Skubal allow one run in six innings of work with 13 strikeouts, another very strong performance.
There will be plenty of debate over how big an extension Skubal deserves, and whether he'll get it from Detroit or not. But for now, Skubal isn't paying it any mind, as he's solely focused on the on-field product based on his postgame quote after a wild Game 5 loss to the Mariners in the ALDS.
More Tigers News:
- Tigers make ridiculous MLB postseason history with wild card series win over Guardians
- Tigers' Tarik Skubal joins elite company with stellar outing, but not enough to beat Mariners
- Tigers-Mariners ending: Detroit's Zach McKinstry drives in winning run in 11th inning of ALDS Game 1
- Tigers owner shares interesting belief after Wild Card win over the Guardians