As the Detroit Tigers prepare to open spring training next month with renewed playoff aspirations, one key question lingers: Will the club sign reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to a long-term contract extension?
The 28-year-old southpaw is keeping those discussions close to the vest. “I’ll keep that pretty private,” Skubal told the Associated Press on Sunday when asked about potential long-term talks with the Tigers. “But I love playing in Detroit and I’m excited to get down to spring training.”
One-Year Deal Done, Long-Term Pact Pending?
Earlier this month, Skubal and the Tigers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $10.15 million contract for the 2025 season. That deal came on the heels of a dominant 2024 campaign in which Skubal posted an AL-best 18 wins, 2.39 ERA and major league-leading 228 strikeouts across 31 starts en route to unanimous Cy Young honors.
While the one-year pact gives both sides cost certainty for the upcoming season, the Tigers would undoubtedly love to lock up their ace for the long haul. Skubal is under team control through 2028 but will only get more expensive each year he nears free agency, especially if he maintains his elite performance.
Tigers Banking on Young Core
Buoyed by Skubal’s emergence, the Tigers surged late last season to snap a decade-long playoff drought. After sweeping Houston in the wild card round, Detroit ultimately fell to Cleveland in the divisional series. Still, there’s great optimism that this young, hungry squad is poised for a sustained run of contention.
“We’re a young team, and a hungry team. I’m as confident as I was at the end of the year going into spring training with the additions we made and the guys we have coming back.”
– Tarik Skubal on the Tigers’ 2025 outlook
In addition to their rising stars like Skubal, Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson, the Tigers made some savvy veteran additions this winter in All-Star second baseman Gleyber Torres and steady starter Alex Cobb, inking both to $15 million deals.
Spring Optimism Blooms in Detroit
Tigers pitchers and catchers report to Lakeland, Florida on February 12th to kick off what the club and its fans hope will be another exciting, meaningful season of baseball in the Motor City. With Skubal leading the charge, this Detroit team appears constructed to make noise in the highly competitive American League.
Whether or not Skubal puts pen to paper on a mega-extension before Opening Day, all eyes will be on the young star as he looks to build upon his Cy Young campaign and cement himself as one of the game’s premier pitchers for years to come. The Tigers faithful are certainly glad he’ll be doing so in the Olde English D – for 2025 and hopefully well beyond.
