Detroit Tigers’ 2026 Season and Tarik Skubal’s Future
The Detroit Tigers, having reached the playoffs in 2025, aimed to do so again in 2026. They made some significant moves to bolster the team, including signing Framber Valdez, who’s recognized as one of the top pitchers available. Additionally, Kenley Jansen was brought in to enhance the bullpen’s reliability. They also extended a generous qualifying offer to Gleyber Torres, a key contributor, and committed $150 million to top prospect Kevin McGonigle. Perhaps the biggest decision was retaining Tarik Skubal, a player who won the Cy Young Award twice in a row, highlighting his elite status on the field.
However, Skubal is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season and was anticipated to secure what could have been the biggest contract for a pitcher in sports history. Unfortunately, an injury has complicated matters significantly, making an extension with the Tigers seem quite challenging.
Skubal has been sidelined since early May due to an elbow injury. The Tigers had a strong showing in 2025 and were expected to maintain that momentum, but as the season turned to June, they started to struggle. Their position players ranked notably high in both offense and defense, while the starting pitching remained solid. However, the bullpen, previously a strength, fell apart. Despite Jansen’s presence, the team held a poor win-loss record, leaving them in last place in the division, trailing significantly behind the Cleveland Guardians.
A recent discussion among MLB analysts has shifted the focus towards the possibility of Skubal being traded. According to Ken Rosenthal, opinions around the league suggest that the Tigers may need to consider trading him if the team can’t recover from their current standings. “It’s difficult to envision them overcoming a 14-game deficit and reaching .500,” Rosenthal noted, adding that the health status of Skubal is still uncertain.
Skubal is currently on an accelerated rehabilitation schedule following his elbow surgery and is projected to return to the mound by mid to late June. Given the timing, the Tigers will face a critical decision regarding his trade before the upcoming deadline. Rosenthal mentioned that multiple teams would be interested if he returns successfully to form.
As Skubal prepares to face hitters again soon, the Tigers’ management will have to decide whether to keep him or entertain trade offers, especially if their positions in the standings don’t improve. The landscape seems tough for Detroit, and they may have to act in the best interest of the organization.
Several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves, are rumored to be in the mix for Skubal. The Milwaukee Brewers also stand out due to their strong farm system and trade history for players in similar situations.
If Skubal returns to his previous form, he would be a valuable asset for any team vying for postseason success. It’s not every day that one of baseball’s top pitchers becomes available, making the next few weeks critical for both Skubal and the Tigers as they navigate these challenges.
