Tigers, Skubal Face Stalled Contract Talks

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is having another dominant season and is a leading contender for a second Cy Young Award, while also demonstrating adaptability by occasionally adjusting his pitching strategy mid-game. Contract extension talks between Skubal and the Tigers, led by President Scott Harris and GM Jeff Greenberg, remain private and reportedly have not progressed smoothly. Both management and Skubal have expressed mutual appreciation, but neither side has disclosed specifics, with Skubal emphasizing that winning is his primary focus over contract negotiations. Skubal is under team control through 2026 but is expected to seek a record-breaking deal, potentially surpassing the largest contracts for left-handed pitchers. His agent, Scott Boras, is known for driving players to free agency, increasing the likelihood of a competitive bidding process if no agreement is reached. The Tigers face mounting urgency to secure Skubal amid the risk of losing him to rival teams.