Tarik Skubal isn’t just living up to the hype-he’s redefining what it means to be an ace in today’s game. After back-to-back Cy Young Awards in the American League, the 29-year-old lefty has become one of the most dominant forces on the mound, and perhaps the most valuable arm in baseball right now. But as he enters his final season under club control with the Detroit Tigers, the rest of the league is watching closely-and some big-market teams have already decided the price tag is just too steep.
According to reports, both the New York Yankees and New York Mets have walked away from early trade talks with Detroit. The reason?
The Tigers are asking for a massive return, and they’re not budging. That’s what happens when you have a pitcher who’s not just elite, but super elite-as one insider put it.
Skubal’s impact on the Tigers isn’t theoretical. It’s tangible, measurable, and game-changing.
Detroit recently avoided arbitration with Skubal, agreeing to a $10.15 million salary for the 2025 season. But things got more interesting when the two sides couldn’t see eye to eye on his 2026 salary.
Skubal filed at $32 million, while the Tigers countered at $19 million. That gap is headed for a hearing, but it’s also a sign of just how valuable Skubal believes he is-and frankly, it’s hard to argue with him.
Over the past two seasons, Skubal has been lights out. He’s racked up a 31-10 record in 62 starts, posting a 2.70 ERA and striking out 469 batters in just under 390 innings.
That’s not just dominance-it’s consistency at an elite level. His 12.9 bWAR over that stretch tells the full story: when he’s on the mound, the Tigers win.
In fact, Detroit has taken two-thirds of his starts during this run, and that’s a huge reason why they’ve punched tickets to the postseason in back-to-back years.
The Tigers know exactly what they have in Skubal, and they’re acting like it. They’ve made it clear they’re not looking to move him this offseason.
That’s not just about holding onto an ace-it’s about building something sustainable. Detroit made some key additions to the bullpen this winter, signaling that they’re not just trying to compete-they’re trying to win.
And trading away their best pitcher would send the opposite message.
From the outside, it might be tempting to envision Skubal in pinstripes or anchoring a rotation in Queens. But the reality is, Detroit has no incentive to deal him unless someone comes in with a blockbuster offer-and even then, it would mean taking a step back from a team that’s finally turned a corner.
So for now, Skubal stays put. And with him, the Tigers remain a legitimate threat in the American League.