Detroit Tigers Face Losing Ace Tarik Skubal After 2026 Free Agency

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is having an outstanding season, continuing his dominance after winning the 2024 AL Cy Young Award and pitching the All-Star Game. He is in strong contention to repeat the pitching Triple Crown, a rare feat last achieved by Roger Clemens in 1998. Despite his stellar performance and importance to the team, insiders, including Detroit Free Press writer Evan Petzold, predict Skubal is likely to leave Detroit after the 2026 season when he hits free agency, with teams like the Dodgers and Yankees as potential suitors. Petzold urges the Tigers to act quickly and capitalize on their current window to win a World Series, even if it means trading top prospects. The Tigers currently hold the best MLB record and are considered serious contenders, led by Skubal and supported by several All-Stars, but face skepticism from some analysts who favor teams like the Yankees. Skubal himself emphasizes his focus remains on winning a championship, underscoring the urgency for Detroit to leverage their talent before the possible departure of their star pitcher.