Tigers trade plans for Tarik Skubal revealed after Framber Valdez $115M deal

The Detroit Tigers stunned the baseball world by agreeing to a massive three-year, $115 million contract with former Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez.

It's a huge financial commitment from the Tigers, and the first sign that they're going into 2026 with serious intention to compete for a World Series title.

But what does this deal mean for Tarik Skubal? Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic revealed in a report that the trade plan with Skubal has solidified after the Valdez deal. For Tigers fans, it's some very welcome news, as Skubal is likely to stick around for the 2026 season.

Tigers make trade plan with Tarik Skubal after Valdez deal

"Within minutes of free agent left-hander Framber Valdez reaching agreement with the Detroit Tigers, a rival executive posed the obvious question: 'If they lose the arb to Skubal, do they trade him?'" Rosenthal reports.

Such a question is on the minds of everyone around Major League Baseball. But, fortunately for Tigers fans, and unfortunately for other teams, "The answer, according to a person briefed on the team's intentions, is no," Rosenthal revealed.

Rosenthal's report makes it clear: The Tigers are not going to be trading Skubal away this offseason, as the Valdez deal will make them serious contenders this season.

While they could still trade Skubal if disaster strikes during the first half of the year and they're out of the postseason hunt, barring such a stunning start to 2026, Skubal will be a member of the Tigers' rotation this season.

More: Tigers' contract details for Framber Valdez make for absurd record-breaking deal

Valdez is in agreement on a $38.3 million per-year deal with the Tigers, and Skubal's 2026 salary is still uncertain as the results of the arbitration hearing have yet to be announced.

But it's going to be a smaller amount than what Valdez got, and for the Tigers, whatever the number ends up being, it will be very worth it for the Tigers.

After the deal for Valdez, it's very hard to imagine that the Tigers will move on from Skubal. Investing so much money, only to go and trade Skubal, wouldn't make much sense.

Go all-in for 2026, and have Valdez be the short-term replacement for Skubal in 2027 if he doesn't re-sign with the Tigers.

But, for now, Rosenthal's report indicates that the Tigers are not going to move on from Skubal this offseason. Skubal is staying in Detroit, thanks in part to the Valdez deal.

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