"The best time is now" - MLB insider sends warning on Tigers’ gamble in delaying Tarik Skubal trade closer to free agency

There has been trade speculation surrounding Tarik Skubal since the start of the calendar year. The Detroit Tigers do not look like a team that can outmatch other big-market clubs when their ace hits free agency after the 2026 season.

In 2024 and 2025, his two American League Cy Young-winning campaigns, Skubal has pitched to a 31-10 record with a 2.30 ERA in 62 starts. He has led the American League in bWAR in both seasons.

The dilemma for the Tigers is whether to keep Skubal till the trade deadline next year or get a handsome return in the winter without risking a major injury to him during the 2026 regular season.

According to MLB insider Buster Olney, the Tigers can get maximum return in this current offseason, as they wouldn't wish to trade Skubal in July when the Tigers are contenders for their division title.

"The great X-factor in that equation is the winnable AL Central: If the Tigers were in first or within 3-5 games of first next July, how difficult would it be to trade your ace in a pennant race? If the Tigers intend to move Skubal for value before he departs as a FA, the best time to do it is now," Olney suggested.

Skubal was asked back in July by the Detroit Free Press about a probable, 10-year $425 million contract extension, to which the 29-year-old had given a nod of approval. Any deal in excess of $325 million will make his the biggest contract ever signed by a pitcher.

But with a payroll of merely $163.5 million during the 2025 season, the Tigers may not be willing to commit in excess of $40 million to a single player.

Tarik Skubal dishes contract talks, trade rumors

Tarik Skubal appeared on Thursday's edition of Foul Territory TV, where he cleared the air about the trade rumors. He clearly stated that he hasn't asked to be traded by the club, while also expressing his frustration at the contract speculations.

"Even contract stuff, I don't really know where they come up with these numbers or that narrative," Skubal maintained. "Don't look into any of the stuff that you see. Definitely don't comment. Don't take to social media and say anything." "It's not like I want to be traded, so why am I in these conversations?"

The Tigers have collectively ascended alongside Tarik Skubal's individual genius in the past two seasons. Detroit finished its postseason in the American League Division Series, losing in consecutive Game 5s. Skubal and co. would look to do better in 2026.

Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy