AJ Hinch shuts down concern over Tarik Skubal-Tigers relationship after arbitration

Watch Tarik Skubal on the mound for just a few minutes, and you can see that he's a fiery competitor. Barking and screaming at opposing batters while uncorking triple-digit heaters and nasty change-ups, it becomes clear that he competes with an anger that burns deep inside. Recently, his competition hasn't been on the field, but rather at the negotiating table with the Detroit Tigers serving as his opponent.

The arbitration standoff between the Tigers and the best lefty in the world was a historic one. It was also one where the two-time, reigning Cy Young winner emerged victorious. The latest battle in the ongoing saga to determine his fate, the Tigers' stance during the proceedings has been heavily criticized.

There's a growing fear that the hardline treatment could drive an irreparable rift between the franchise and its face, leading to an inevitable departure after a season that should be about a World Series chase but instead will be co-opted by this sideshow.

At least, that's what most think. But not AJ Hinch. No, if you listen to Hinch, everything is hunky-dory, and there should be no cause for alarm.

AJ Hinch vehemently disagrees with the assessment that the arbitration process derailed the Tigers' relationship with Tarik Skubal

Hinch thinks that this will simply be something that Skubal shrugs off, akin to the incredibly infrequent bad start, and will not shake his focus during the 2026 campaign.

"I disagree with anybody who thinks Tarik is going to be impacted by this. He's a focused pitcher who is really good at separating business and baseball...it's not something that will hang over our team because Tarik won't stand for it," Hinch said while appearing on the Tigers Today podcast.

While he might be right that it won't affect his focus as a competitor, the idea of separating business from baseball is a tough sell. For one thing, the better Skubal is at baseball this season, the better his business outlook becomes. For another, it's tough to prove that the way extension talks have been handled, plus the arbitration fiasco, won't create a lingering bad taste in the ace's mouth that could provoke a reaction next winter.

But there is a glimmer of hope that Hinch might be reading this correctly. Earlier in the offseason, Skubal tried to put the extension drama to bed while talking about how much he loves the organization and the city.

A key factor in how damaged the relationship between club and superstar truly is will likely come down to what message Skubal receives from the club's Framber Valdez signing. Some, like Buster Olney, have used it to try to stir up controversy.

From Skubal's perspective, it's likely simpler. Either he takes the move as a signal that the Tigers are willing to actually spend to compete, and by extension, will continue to do so in order to retain him in the offseason. Or, he could look at this as the club getting a head start on finding his replacement when they inevitably refuse to pay him what he's worth next winter.

The Tigers will hope that the way he chooses to take it is the former. Meanwhile, fans will hope that Hinch is right. Time heals all wounds, so we'll have to see how the season plays out to truly tell.