Back-to-Back AL Cy Young Award Winner Faces Social Media Backlash

Tariq Skubal, who has won the AL Cy Young Award twice, was always meant to return to the Detroit Tigers after pitching one game for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic (WBC). His teammates were supportive of his decision to leave the tournament early.

However, he was taken aback by the negative reactions he received on social media from American fans, with some even likening him to the notorious traitor, Benedict Arnold. To be clear, Arnold switched sides during the Revolutionary War, and Skubal feels such comparisons are unjust since he didn’t join another team in the WBC.

Instead of continuing with Team USA, Skubal opted to concentrate on his MLB team as he prepares for an important offseason that could lead to free agency after the 2026 season. “It’s unfair,” he remarked about the comparisons to Arnold. “But it’s part of the business, part of the game. If people knew me personally and understood my relationships with my colleagues, they wouldn’t say those things.” He added, “This was always the plan, and despite how much I wanted to stay, it wasn’t feasible given the timing.”

Ironically, his start in the tournament was against England, and after contributing to a 9–1 win, he found himself reconsidering his decision. “I never expected to feel this emotional or to question my initial plan,” Skubal mentioned. “I was eager to start and get back to camp. But clearly, things have shifted. I’ll need to chat with my coaches and figure out the best way forward.”

Having celebrated with his teammates at Daikin Park, he concluded it was tough to walk away from that experience. “He’s a two-time Cy Young winner who, let’s face it, is looking at a massive payday next offseason,” said Team USA captain Aaron Judge. “For him to risk it all for us shows his commitment. It may just be one game, but there’s risk in everything. The players appreciate that he stepped up for us.”

Since that win, Team USA’s path has become uncertain. Initially anticipated to advance from Pool B easily, they suffered an unexpected 8-6 loss to Italy, putting their chances on shaky ground.

Now, Team USA is hoping for favorable outcomes in the upcoming match between Italy and Mexico, as the U.S. team needs a win to secure advancement. Skubal will likely be watching closely. He has mentioned that if Team USA makes it to the finals on March 17, he plans to participate.