Tigers Ace Tarik Skubal Nearing Free Agency With No Extension Offer

Reigning Cy Young winner says Detroit hasn't made him a long-term contract offer as he prepares to hit the open market.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers' star pitcher and reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, has confirmed that the team has not made him a single contract extension offer as he enters the final year of his current deal. Skubal, who is expected to command one of the largest pitching contracts in MLB history, says his focus is on winning a World Series for the Tigers this season, but acknowledged that if the team falls out of contention, a midseason trade to a contender could be a possibility.

Why it matters

Skubal's impending free agency is a major storyline for the Tigers, who are trying to build a contender around their young core of talent. Losing Skubal, one of the game's elite pitchers, would be a significant blow to their chances of ending their playoff drought. However, the Tigers may face an uphill battle to re-sign him, especially if they are unable to make a serious contract offer before he hits the open market.

The details

Skubal, who is set to start for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, said the Tigers have not made him a long-term contract offer of any kind. He acknowledged that the lack of an offer doesn't bother him, but it suggests Detroit may be preparing to let him test free agency after the 2026 season. Skubal, who had a 2.21 ERA with 241 strikeouts in 195.1 innings last year, is expected to command a massive contract, with some reports suggesting the Tigers had previously offered him a deal around $100 million. However, Skubal's comments indicate even that level of offer has not materialized.

  • Tarik Skubal is set to start Game 2 for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in the coming hours.
  • Skubal is entering the final year of his current contract with the Tigers in the 2026 season.
  • The Tigers have not made Skubal a contract extension offer at this point, according to the pitcher.

The players

Tarik Skubal

The Detroit Tigers' star pitcher and reigning American League Cy Young Award winner.

Detroit Tigers

The Major League Baseball team that drafted Skubal in 2018 and has employed him for the first five seasons of his career.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The MLB team that reportedly checked in with the Tigers about a potential trade for Skubal during the 2025-2026 offseason.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“For the most part, I try to live in the moment and just appreciate where my feet are, and continue to strive to the best version of myself.”

— Tarik Skubal (USA Today Sports)

“There is no offer. And there won't be an offer until the end of the season. My focus is on playing baseball and winning this year. I'll deal with the contract stuff at the end of the year, and then we'll kind of see. And that's fine. It's their decision.”

— Tarik Skubal (USA Today Sports)

“That's where my focus is, trying to win a World Series for the city of Detroit, the team that drafted me in 2018. The Tigers fans are excited, they're really invested in this club, and so are we. There's a different energy in camp this year about the guys that we brought in and additions that we've made, and there's a true belief in trying to win a World Series. I think that's awesome.”

— Tarik Skubal (USA Today Sports)

What’s next

If the Tigers fall out of contention during the 2026 season, they may look to trade Skubal to a contending team in order to receive a significant return of prospects before he hits free agency.

The takeaway

Tarik Skubal's impending free agency is a major storyline for the Detroit Tigers, who are facing the possibility of losing one of the game's elite pitchers if they cannot reach a long-term contract agreement. The Tigers' reluctance to make Skubal a serious offer so far suggests they may be preparing to let him test the open market, which could force them to trade him midseason if they are out of playoff contention.