Tigers fans got the best possible distraction from Tarik Skubal rumors with WBC news

Team USA's 2023 World Baseball Classic roster was absolutely stacked with offensive talent. Mike Trout headlined as "Captain America," but Pete Alonso, Bobby Witt Jr., Trea Turner, Mookie Betts, Kyle Tucker, and Kyle Schwarber were also in those lineups — powerhouse after powerhouse.

... and then there was the pitching staff. The best Team USA could field for the rotation were guys like Merrill Kelly, Miles Mikolas, Lance Lynn, and Adam Wainwright. If that was the caliber of pitching the US could expect for 2026, there was no way they would be able to take down the reigning champs from Japan.

And then Paul Skenes signed on. And then Joe Ryan signed on. Things started to look less dire.

In a huge development for Tigers fans — or really just anyone who loves the WBC — Tarik Skubal joined their ranks on Thursday. Matthew Boyd, Logan Webb, Clay Holmes, and Nolan McLean are the other starters in the mix. Mason Miller and David Bednar are joining the bullpen.

Aaron Judge's participation and captaincy were reported a while ago, and he'll be in the lineup alongside Witt, Schwarber, Cal Raleigh, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Corbin Carroll, Gunnar Henderson ... and the list goes on.

The WBC, folks. It's the best time of the year.

Tarik Skubal officially announces participation for Team USA in 2026 World Baseball Classic

It's a miracle that both the Tigers and Scott Boras gave the go-ahead on Skubal pitching in the contest when he's this close to free agency. If the Tigers keep him this offseason, one would think that they would be overwhelmingly opposed to him risking injury in a tournament with actual stakes. Boras would have similar inclinations; an injury in 2026 could reduce his value as a free agent. It's not an unfounded fear; both Edwin Díaz and Jose Altuve got hurt the last time around.

But Skubal has publicly expressed interest in representing the States in the WBC, and it's going to be a delight for fans. Cy Young winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes pitching back-to-back starts in games that (at least sort of) matter? When are we ever going to get the opportunity to see something like that again?

And it was a breath of fresh air for Tigers fans to hear Skubal mentioned with something positive, when we haven't been able to go a day this offseason without hearing "Skubal" and "trade" together.