Offseason: Are the Tigers Legitimate Contenders for Skubal?

Are the Detroit Tigers serious contenders to re-sign their former ace, Tarik Skubal?

Just two months ago, the Tigers appeared to know that re-signing Skubal for the kind of money he and his agent, Scott Boras, were expected to command in free agency simply was not realistic.

So, the Tigers did what they had to do.

Detroit traded Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers before losing him for nothing in free agency, bringing back several of the Dodgers’ top prospects in the process. That group included pitcher River Ryan, who made his Tigers debut late in the 2026 season, and Zyhir Hope, who tore through the minor leagues and could potentially join Detroit as soon as next season.

For Scott Harris and the Tigers organization, the decision made sense.

They got something in return for a player they believed they were unlikely to retain.

We have seen what happens when teams refuse to make that decision. The Los Angeles Angels famously held onto Shohei Ohtani through his final season rather than trading him, ultimately receiving nothing when he departed for the Dodgers in free agency.

Detroit did not want to make the same mistake.

But now, reports are emerging that the Tigers could once again be serious players for Skubal, with Detroit being described as a “true contender” to bring him back this offseason.

Does that change my opinion?

Not really.

I do believe the demand for Skubal could come down somewhat because of the massive contract he is expected to receive. However, I still have a difficult time believing Detroit will pay whatever Boras is asking.

And that brings the Tigers right back to where they were before the trade.

Detroit has made it clear that it wants to build through its farm system, the draft and homegrown talent. The organization is trying to construct a team that can remain competitive while maintaining financial flexibility, rather than simply spending as much money as possible in an attempt to win a World Series.

That is a significant change from the way the Tigers operated in the past.

The organization is already putting that philosophy into practice. Detroit locked up Kevin McGonigle to a long-term extension before he had even reached the halfway point of his first full season, attempting to secure young talent at a cost-effective number.

Skubal was one of those homegrown players.

Eventually, though, homegrown stars have to get paid.

That is where the Tigers’ philosophy could collide with the reality of Skubal’s market.

Will Detroit continue to be mentioned as a potential destination for Skubal this offseason?

Absolutely.

The relationship Skubal has with the organization, the friendships he built in Detroit and the emotion he showed surrounding the trade all suggest that the Tigers will remain in communication with him and his camp.

But being a legitimate contender to sign Skubal and actually signing him are two very different things.

If the price gets too high, I still don't believe the Tigers will pay it.

And if that is the case, Detroit may have already made the decision that mattered most when it traded Skubal in the first place.