Tarik Skubal reveals reality of contract situation no Tigers fan wants to hear

If Tigers fans have been dissatisfied by Scott Harris' evasive responses to questions about a Tarik Skubal contract extension, they'll be even more disheartened now that the man himself has weighed in.

Skubal told Chris McCosky of the Detroit News that he wasn't going to comment directly on the status of a potential extension negotiation and keep his focus on the season. He did say that he wasn't against an extension and made it very clear that he liked being a Tiger, but he added, "There is a business side of this game that's not as beautiful as the baseball side of this game. That’s just what it is."

Skubal's comments run parallel to Harris', who has mostly refused to give journalists or fans a glimpse into the process. However, he did raise eyebrows when he alluded to a lack of reciprocation in interest on Skubal's part, saying, "It takes a willingness on both sides to actually do it."

So, okay, Skubal's made it clear that there's at least some interest on his end — that's a good place to start. But everyone knows that the reality of his potential future contract will make things very difficult for both parties.

Tarik Skubal was evasive on questions about a Tigers extension, but hinted at a difficult negotiation ahead

Skubal's value has risen exponentially this season and will do so even more if the Tigers make a deep postseason run (and if he wins his second consecutive Cy Young). There's also all of 2026, his last year of team control; if he manages to do this all over again, his value may be incomprehensible.

Right now, estimates land around 10 years and $400 million, which would shatter Yoshinobu Yamamoto's $325 million record. That's the kind of money the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, and maybe Phillies would be willing to spend, but it's a terrifying number for the Tigers.

The business side of the game definitely isn't as beautiful as the baseball side, and given the Tigers' unwillingness to be ultra-transparent about the negotiation process, we probably won't know anything until Skubal either agrees to an extension or turns down a qualifying offer to fully explore free agency.

It's far from ideal, but it's also somewhat understandable. Skubal should be paid what he's worth; the onus is on the Tigers to scrounge the money together one way or the other.