Tarik Skubal’s future sparks debate as MLB execs claim Tigers “can’t win the division” without star pitcher

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal's future with the team has been a subject of speculation since the conclusion of the season. Skubal, who won the AL Cy Young award for a second consecutive season, is heading into the final year of his contract next season.

Despite his back-to-back Cy Young wins, the team is reportedly far off in their valuation of a new contract for the All-Star ace. If the Tigers fail to extend Skubal, they could either trade him at next year's trade deadline or let him walk into free agency at the end of the season.

According to a survey of MLB executives by ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the Tigers are expected to let the contract situation play out. However, an executive claimed that the Tigers can't win the division without the two-time Cy Young winner.

"I doubt they can afford to extend him, but they also know they can't win the division without him. I think they roll with him in '26 unless they get blown away with a trade concept," an executive said.

Meanwhile, another executive claimed that the decision to wait on Skubal's extension or trade could backfire for the team.

"The longer they wait to trade him, the stickier it gets," another executive said. "Value could go down or perhaps worse, if you're ownership. He gets off to another Cy Young start and fans start screaming even louder to sign him."

With consecutive Cy Young wins, Skubal is expected to command a blockbuster contract if he signs this offseason.