Tarik Skubal-sized caveat to Tigers’ interest in free agent starters will enrage fans

While one could say that the Detroit Tigers' rotation – with Tarik Skubal in tow – is in decent shape, cracks lurk beneath the foundation.

Jack Flaherty is inconsistent, Casey Mize only has one season where he's truly come close to meeting expectations, and Reese Olson has struggled to stay healthy. Add in the fact that Skubal, Flaherty, and Mize are all in their walk years, and you can see that it would be prudent for the Tigers to start thinking about the future.

Fortunately, rumors have Detroit kicking the tires on a pair of free-agent starting pitchers. Scott Harris has Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito in his crosshairs, and while you might want a more premium option, either would represent an upgrade over Drew Anderson at the back end.

That's the good news, but with it comes another side that is sure to upset fans and question what's really going on. Apparently, the Tigers are only interested in adding to the rotation if they lose their arbitration case with Skubal.

The Tigers' interest in Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito is contingent upon them losing their arbitration case with Tarik Skubal

By now, it's not news that a canyon exists between Detroit and Skubal regarding his 2026 salary. The Tigers offered $19 million, and Skubal wants $32 million. There is a range of potential outcomes here, but at the end of the day, the worst-case scenario is a $13 million increase from what the Tigers would like to pay, which shouldn't break the bank.

Not only would that $13 million seemingly prevent Detroit from making a meaningful addition to a unit that desperately needs one, but it also presents broader implications that should have fans very concerned.

If the Tigers are that concerned about paying Skubal that much for just one season, what does that mean if he wins in arbitration? Could they then become motivated to trade him? Do they let him walk after the season and forgo adding a much-needed arm to the rotation now? Does a resistance to spend now, with Skubal in tow, send the message to him that they aren't serious about competing?

The Tigers should be focused on putting the strongest team possible around Skubal now. Sure, he's going to want his big payday in a year, but he's also going to want to land with a team that is serious about competing. The Tigers need to prove that it's them. 2024 proved the rebuild was over, and 2025 proved that while the core has arrived, more work is needed. Not following through now means they're not serious about ascending to the upper echelon of contenders.

We're not talking about Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez here. We're talking about two veteran starters who are more innings-eater types than they are stars. If Detroit's only real addition to the group that finished last season is Kenley Jansen, then they aren't serious about contending, and the long-term implications are very bleak.