Tigers' Skubal Eyes World Series Run After Offseason Additions

Reigning two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal believes Detroit has the pieces to contend for a championship.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, is setting his sights on a World Series title in 2026 after the team made several key offseason additions, including pitchers Kenley Jansen and Framber Valdez. Skubal believes the Tigers now have the pieces in place to not only win the AL Central division, but potentially make a deep playoff run.

Why it matters

The Tigers have struggled to reach the postseason in recent years, but the addition of veteran pitchers like Jansen and Valdez, combined with the continued dominance of Skubal, has raised expectations in Detroit. A World Series appearance would be the franchise's first since 1984, energizing the fanbase and potentially ushering in a new era of success.

The details

Skubal, a two-time All-Star and Triple Crown winner, spoke with USA Today this week, expressing his focus on bringing a World Series title to Detroit. The Tigers also added Kenley Jansen, the active MLB saves leader, and Framber Valdez, a two-time All-Star most recently with the Houston Astros, bolstering their pitching staff. With these new pieces, the Tigers believe they have the talent to not only win the AL Central, but potentially make a deep playoff run.

  • Skubal is the reigning two-time American League Cy Young Award winner.
  • The Tigers lost in the 15th inning of a deciding Game 5 in the American League Division Series last fall to the Seattle Mariners.

The players

Tarik Skubal

A two-time American League Cy Young Award winner and the ace of the Detroit Tigers' pitching staff.

Kenley Jansen

The active MLB saves leader, who was signed by the Tigers this offseason to bolster their bullpen.

Framber Valdez

A two-time All-Star pitcher most recently with the Houston Astros, who was also signed by the Tigers this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“That's where my focus is, trying to win a World Series for the city of Detroit.”

— Tarik Skubal (USA Today)

“A World Series is attainable with the additions that we've made. And that's all you can ask for, is to play on a team with World Series aspirations year in and year out.”

— Tarik Skubal (USA Today)

What’s next

The Tigers will look to build on their offseason additions and make a deep playoff run in the 2026 season, with Skubal leading the way on the mound.

The takeaway

The Tigers' offseason moves have raised expectations in Detroit, with Tarik Skubal leading the charge. If the new additions like Jansen and Valdez can complement Skubal's dominance, the Tigers could be poised to end their World Series drought and bring a championship to the city.