Tarik Skubal's comment on possible contract extension with Tigers says it all

The Detroit Tigers have 2024 American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal locked down for the 2025 season, which is starting to look more and more like it will be the beginning of the end of his time with the club.

If the Tigers want to to have a competitive future, Skubal needs to be a part of it. The two sides agreed on a one-year, $10.15 million contract last week to avoid arbitration for 2025, but the AL pitching triple crown winner can become a free agent after the 2026 season. Although he remains under team control for the next two seasons, the question of a contract extension looms large heading into spring training.

Skubal was asked about contract talks with Detroit on Sunday, when he attended a basketball game in East Lansing between Michigan State and Illinois, but his response didn't exactly give Tigers fans the vote of confidence they were looking for.

“I’ll keep that pretty private,” Skubal said via The Associated Press. “But I love playing in Detroit and I’m excited to get down to spring training.”

Well. That answers that. Boras clients almost never sign contract extensions, the Tigers don't spend money, and we'll get no clarity from either party regarding any developments.

What are Tigers' chances of signing Tarik Skubal to contract extension?

There are already a number of factors that don't bode well for a potential extension for Skubal and the Tigers. First, there's the fact that the current front office tends to shy away from handing out large, multi-year contracts. Given recent reports that Skubal has the potential to become the first pitcher in MLB history to receive a $400 million contract when he hits free agency, a future in Detroit seems highly unlikely.

There's also the fact that the Tigers have already tried (sort of) to extend Skubal and failed. Their offer reportedly wasn't competitive, and if they thought they had a prayer at landing Skubal on their own terms, then that's an even bigger problem.

Tigers pitchers and catchers are set to report to spring training Feb. 12 in Lakeland, Fla. Don't expect them to be any closer to extending Skubal by then – or anytime in the near future, for that matter. Just be sure to enjoy these next two years while ignoring any resulting drama.

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