Why Tigers' $140 million All-Star could prevent Tarik Skubal extension

Conor Liguori

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Why Tigers' $140 million All-Star could prevent Tarik Skubal extension image

Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal is confused and frustrated by the recent trade rumors surrounding his future with the Detroit Tigers. 

But Major League Baseball is a business, after all, and as Skubal heads into free agency after the 2026 season, there's no denying the Tigers could land a tremendous return in exchange for their superstar left-hander. 

There remains hope the Tigers could re-sign Skubal, but the highest contract on Detroit's payroll could prevent it. The six-year, $140 million deal that Javier Baez signed with the Tigers in 2021 could hurt their future. 

"The Tigers pay Baez $24 million a year to essentially be below replacement level. He was a lightning rod at times last season, including in the playoffs when it looked like Detroit couldn't buy a hit," FanSided's Mark Powell wrote Saturday. "But, again, he hasn't played remotely like a $140 million player, which could make the Tigers weary of giving a starting pitcher over $400 million." 

Detroit's World Series hopes without Skubal 

This upcoming season, the Tigers' roster strength and World Series hopes depend on whether and when they trade Skubal. They are one of the better clubs in the AL as constructed, with back-to-back postseason appearances to show for it. 

If they fail to produce a contender by next year's trade deadline, perhaps they will start to take trade discussions surrounding Skubal more seriously.

However, as they showed during their 31-13 late-season run during the 2024 season, there's always a chance to turn things around, especially when you have the game's best pitcher on your side. 

Baez's contract is less than half of what Skubal will sign for in free agency. The Tigers have to decide if they are ready to make a sizeable investment in him.  

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News Correspondent