Tarik Skubal's amazing gesture in Seattle gives Tigers hope for contract extension

Reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal may be the best pitcher in the world, but he'll never forget where he came from.

Skubal, a product of Seattle University, visited his old stomping grounds on Tuesday while in town for the Detroit Tigers' series against the Mariners. In three years at Seattle U – the only Division I program to offer him a scholarship – Skubal was 21-7 with a 3.36 ERA. He struck out 224 batters in 206 collegiate innings before being selected by the Tigers in the ninth round of the 2018 MLB Draft.

Now a Cy Young Award and pitching triple crown winner with a lifetime 41-32 record and 3.40 ERA, Skubal made a promise to the baseball team at his alma mater: if they won their Tuesday night game against the University of British Columbia, he would pay for the whole team to come watch him pitch Wednesday against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.

Of course, the Redhawks won their game by a final score of 8-7. And, of course, Skubal kept his word.

Tarik Skubal's amazing gesture while in Seattle gives Tigers hope for contract extension

Skubal's gesture to his alma mater shows what kind of person he is – honest, loyal, filled with gratitude, and eager to give back to those who have helped him along the way. Now, the Tigers will hope that those qualities will work in their favor as they approach contract extension talks with their ace.

Skubal is currently set to become a free agent after the 2026 season, and it's no secret that the Tigers would love to get him signed to a long-term extension before then. Unfortunately, it's also no secret that such an extension will not come cheap.

Currently in his final season of arbitration eligibility, Skubal is making $10.15 million in 2025. Even with team control, that's a sizable increase over the $2.65 million he was making last year; but it's nothing close to what he will make in free agency.

One league executive even posited that Skubal could become MLB's first $400 million pitcher with his next contract – which would all but guarantee his departure from Detroit, considering that the largest contract in franchise history is the eight-year, $248 million deal given to Miguel Cabrera in 2014.

Will Skubal show the Tigers the same loyalty and gratitude he shows Seattle U and offer them a hometown discount of sorts when they resume contract extension talks? Maybe ... but with Scott Boras as his agent, it feels unlikely. Deep down, though. perhaps Skubal bends a little as he remembers the Tigers gave him a chance at the MLB level.

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