The Detroit Tigers didn’t just upgrade their rotation this offseason - they made a statement. By adding both Framber Valdez and the ageless Justin Verlander, Detroit signaled it’s not just building for the future - it’s ready to compete right now.
And for ace Tarik Skubal, the arrival of Verlander is more than just a headline. It’s personal.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Skubal couldn’t hide his excitement - or his disbelief - about sharing a clubhouse with one of the greatest pitchers of his generation.
“If you would've told me 10 years ago that I'm gonna be lockermates with Justin Verlander, and we're gonna be in the same rotation, I would've called you f****** crazy,” Skubal said. “Yeah, it's pretty cool.
I'm getting goosebumps right now. It's pretty special, and he's great.
He's gonna be great for our team. He's gonna be great for me.”
#Tigers ace Tarik Skubal would have called you F-ing crazy if you said he'd be lockermates with Justin Verlander pic.twitter.com/vlrF71JxSK
— FOX 2 Sports (@FOX2Sports) February 12, 2026
That’s not just fanboy energy - it’s a sign of what Verlander still represents in this league. At 42, Verlander is gearing up for his 21st MLB season, and while he’s no longer the flamethrower who once dominated hitters with triple-digit heat, he remains a force.
Last season with the San Francisco Giants, the nine-time All-Star posted a 3.85 ERA, a 1.362 WHIP, and punched out 137 batters. He’s not just here to mentor - he’s here to pitch, and pitch well.
Now he joins a Tigers rotation that suddenly looks like one of the more intriguing staffs in the American League. Alongside Verlander and Valdez, Detroit will roll out Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize, with Skubal anchoring the group as the undisputed ace.
And make no mistake - Skubal has earned that title. At 29, he’s coming off a monster 2025 campaign that saw him lead the American League in both ERA (2.21) and WHIP (0.891), while piling up 241 strikeouts.
His 68.4 winning percentage only adds to the resume. Back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards don’t happen by accident - Skubal has established himself as one of the premier arms in baseball.
But even the best can get better, and learning from a future Hall of Famer like Verlander is an opportunity Skubal clearly doesn’t take for granted. The chance to pick Verlander's brain - from pitch sequencing to preparation to handling the grind of a long season - could take an already elite pitcher to another level.
It’s also a full-circle moment for Tigers fans. Verlander, of course, broke into the league with Detroit back in 2005 and spent over a decade as the face of the franchise. Now, he returns to a new-look team that’s built around young talent, but with enough veteran firepower to make some real noise.
We’ll get our first look at this revamped Tigers squad on February 21, when they open spring training against the New York Yankees. It’s early, sure - but with a rotation this deep and a clubhouse buzzing with confidence, the Tigers are starting to look like a team worth watching every fifth day - and maybe a few more come October.