Detroit Tigers Reportedly Weigh $425 Million Tarik Skubal Extension

Detroit Tigers ace pitcher Tarik Skubal is having a dominant 2025 season, potentially surpassing his 2024 Cy Young campaign with a sub-2.00 ERA and leading MLB in wins above replacement. Skubal is under contract through 2026 but will become an unrestricted free agent thereafter, sparking widespread speculation about a massive contract extension. During a Barstool Sports podcast, Skubal humorously agreed to a hypothetical 10-year, $425 million deal, a figure far exceeding current MLB pitching records and highlighting the challenges the Tigers face in retaining him. Tigers President Scott Harris acknowledged the difficulty of contract negotiations and emphasized a deliberate strategy to retain young talent without premature public discussions. While the Tigers plan to keep Skubal, the unprecedented scale of the contract required to do so remains uncertain amid his exceptional performance and the rapidly escalating market for elite pitchers. Failure to secure Skubal beyond 2026 would be a significant setback for a franchise currently leading the American League.