Austin Konenski
Tarik Skubal started his contract year with the Detroit Tigers on a high note. On Opening Day, Skubal went six innings with three hits, one unearned run, six strikeouts, and no walks on 74 pitches. It was a dominant performance by the back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner; however, could it be his final Opening Day with Detroit?
On Friday morning, ESPN’s Buster Olney said he would “bet the farm” that Skubal made his last Opening Day start for the Tigers, as reported by FOX Detroit’s Ryan Ermanni. Olney also said Skubal will receive a contract offer beyond $400 million and that it won’t come from Detroit during the offseason.
The 29-year-old has been the best pitcher in MLB over the last two years, posting a 2.39 ERA in 2024 and a 2.21 ERA in 2025. Skubal also won the AL Triple Crown for pitching en route to his first Cy Young Award in 2024. Unfortunately, this is Skubal’s last year under contract in Detroit, and he is expected to enter MLB free agency.
So, what would the Tigers do beyond the 2026 MLB season if Skubal leaves for another organization?
Detroit Tigers’ outlook beyond 2026 if Tarik Skubal leaves in free agency
Skubal and Detroit will focus on winning the 2026 World Series over the next seven months; however, everyone knows what is coming this winter. The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner is likely to enter MLB free agency and earn a record-breaking contract. Luckily, the Tigers have already prepared for that outcome.
In February, the Tigers signed free-agent starting pitcher Framber Valdez to a four-year contract with a player option for 2028 and a mutual option for 2029. If everything goes well, Valdez could be under contract with Detroit through the 2029 MLB season. This gives the Tigers an ace starting pitcher if Skubal leaves in free agency.
Skubal and Valdez is the best 1-2 punch of any MLB starting rotation. The 32-year-old pitcher will be able to lead the organization into the future. As of now, Valdez will be joined by Jackson Jobe, Reese Olson, and Troy Melton for the 2027 MLB season. All three are currently recovering from injuries.
Jobe is recovering from Tommy John surgery and should return sometime in 2026. Meanwhile, Olson is out for the entire 2026 season after shoulder surgery. Finally, Melton is working to come back from elbow inflammation. The Tigers can’t count on all three young pitchers being fully healthy, so there is some work coming to the rotation.
Jack Flaherty, Justin Verlander, and Casey Mize are all scheduled to become free agents. Any three of them can return in MLB free agency, especially Verlander if he has a strong season. A rotation of Valdez-Jobe-Olson-Verlander-Melton would be a great starting point.
While losing Skubal would be a heartbreak for everyone involved, Detroit set itself up well for the future after signing Valdez. The Tigers have an ace pitcher to lead them into battle during the 2027 MLB season, but it might not be Skubal.
Read More: Why Kevin McGonigle is the Detroit Tigers’ X-Factor After Historic MLB Debut
