The Detroit Tigers have the best pitcher in baseball on their roster, but he's only locked up through the 2026 season. In 2027, Skubal is an unrestricted free agent. If the Tigers don't pay him a massive contract, other teams would very likely be willing to fork it over.
In an article from Michael Brauner of Sports Illustrated, Brauner makes the point that if the Tigers don't pay Skubal, he could leave after 2026.
"If Detroit is not willing to go to lengths they never have before to keep the face of their franchise," Brauner writes. "He (Skubal) will likely be pitching somewhere else two years from now."
This prediction from Brauner, that if the Tigers don't pay Skubal, he'll leave in free agency, isn't far-fetched. With players in baseball getting larger and larger deals, Skubal's deal is one of the most anticipated among all active pitchers.
If the Tigers decide they don't want to pay him so much money, or they lowball him as he enters free agency, Skubal would more than likely leave in free agency. Getting a chance to cash in like Skubal doesn't come around often. And with how he's pitching, it makes sense for him to demand a record-setting deal.
In 2025, Skubal is dominating more than he did in his 2024 Cy Young season. He leads all MLB pitchers in WAR at 3.7, on pace to beat his 2024 total of 6.4. Through just 14 games, Skubal has a ridiculous 111 strikeouts to nine walks. He's also dipped below a 2.00 ERA after his latest start, as he sits at 1.99 ERA through an MLB-high 14 starts.
His production on the mound has been nothing short of incredible. The Tigers, sitting atop the American League, have no reason not to pay Skubal. If Skubal leaves after 2026, it'd be a complete disaster for the Tigers, and many people within the organization would have a lot of explaining to do.
Rumors began swirling about a $425 million contract, and while that may seem far-fetched, with how he's pitching, it might be a realistic payday. But, regardless of where the number falls, the Tigers can't afford for Brauner's prediction to come true.