Tigers Executives Still Believe Ace Tarik Skubal Could Be Traded This Spring

Skubal's impending free agency and record-breaking contract demands have some MLB execs doubting he'll stay in Detroit.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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As the Detroit Tigers enter spring training, some MLB executives reportedly still believe the team's ace pitcher Tarik Skubal could be traded before the start of the regular season. Skubal, a back-to-back Cy Young winner, is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season and is expected to command a historic contract that may be too rich for the Tigers to match. While the current vibe around the team suggests they want to keep Skubal, rival executives aren't ruling out the possibility of a trade, especially if there are lingering issues from his record-breaking arbitration case.

Why it matters

Tarik Skubal is one of the best pitchers in baseball, and the Tigers have built their rotation and playoff aspirations around him. However, his impending free agency and the likelihood of him signing a record-breaking contract could force the Tigers to consider trading him to get maximum value in return, rather than potentially losing him for nothing in free agency.

The details

Skubal, 28, is coming off back-to-back Cy Young seasons in 2024 and 2025, posting a 2.39 ERA with 228 strikeouts in 2024 and a 2.21 ERA with 241 strikeouts in 2025. He recently earned the richest arbitration contract in MLB history, further signaling his value. With the Tigers looking to make a playoff push, they'll have to weigh keeping Skubal long-term against trading him for a significant prospect haul before he hits free agency.

  • Skubal is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season.

The players

Tarik Skubal

A 28-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, Skubal is a back-to-back Cy Young winner who is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season.

Detroit Tigers

The Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan that Tarik Skubal plays for.

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What they’re saying

“Nothing about the current vibe around the Tigers suggests that they're seriously considering moving Skubal this spring. But who knows where this is leading, He's flooring it down the road to the richest free-agent pitching contract ever next winter. But is that happening in Detroit? Seems like an awful bet. Meanwhile, is it possible there will be lingering issues from his historic win in arbitration? Heck, anything is possible. So no wonder one rival AL Central exec wouldn't rule this out.”

— Jayson Stark, Reporter (The Athletic)

“I'll believe it when I see it, but ... (never say never).”

— Rival AL Central Executive (The Athletic)

What’s next

The Tigers will need to decide in the coming months whether to trade Tarik Skubal before he hits free agency or try to sign him to a long-term contract extension to keep him in Detroit.

The takeaway

Tarik Skubal's impending free agency and the likelihood of him commanding a record-breaking contract has some MLB executives doubtful the Tigers will be able to keep him long-term. This could force the Tigers to consider trading their ace pitcher during spring training to get maximum value in return, rather than potentially losing him for nothing in free agency.