“Pay Tarik Skubal”; “Please stay in Detroit” - Fans react as Tigers ace drops cryptic message amid trade buzz

Tarik Skubal has become a fan favorite in Detroit while representing the Tigers. With him becoming a free agent after the 2026 season, there's a good chance for a trade to happen if the Tigers can't find a way to sign him to a contract extension.

Amid this, the two-time Cy Young winner dropped a cryptic post on X. On Thursday, Skubal wrote the following:

"Goosebumps… @Eminem @jackwhite You guys available April 3rd? "

With this post, Skubal is actually trying to recruit music sensations Eminem and Jack White to perform for Detroit's home opener on April 3rd at Comerica Park. Eminem and White recently set the stage on fire on November 27 as they performed during the Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers Thanksgiving game.

While White headlined the halftime show, and Eminem made a surprise appearance. Both celebs are from Detroit and this was their first collaboration together.

Seeing Skubal recruiting for Detroit, fans fell more in love with the ace, as they asked the pitcher to stay with the Tigers and not go elsewhere in free agency.

"PLEEEEEEEEASE STAY IN DETROIT," one fan commented.

"this man just told the MLB world he’s not on the trade block 😭" one fan wrote.

"Love ya Skub!!!! 😘 plz stay with us in the D (pay this man Chris! Lol)" another added.

"@tigers if you wanna get this done for the good of the sport offer 8-400, defer money," one fan advised the Tigers.

Meanwhile, some fans asked the Tigers to pay Skubal as required.

"C’mon @tigers our man clearly wants to stay here," one fan wrote.

"Pay this man!" one fan added.

MLB executives' polls on Tarik Skubal's future

The reason behind Tarik Skubal's trade rumor is that many think the Tigers won't be able to give him a massive extension, which he might get as a free agent from a big market team. The southpaw has emerged as the league's premium pitcher and his elite services are about to get compensated.

A poll was done among 16 MLB executives to predict Skubal's future. 10 out of 13 executives predicted that Skubal will play the entire 2026 season with the Tigers rather than be traded or extended. Meanwhile, the other three predicted that the left-hander would be traded.

It remains to be seen whether Detroit decides to keep Skubal even though knowing they won't have enough in their bank to give him a lucrative contract or trade before the deadline, so as to acquire future assets.