Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal has emerged as one of the most dominant arms in Major League Baseball since last season, highlighted by his outstanding performance during the 2024 campaign. With an 18-4 record and a 2.39 ERA over 31 starts, Skubal earned the prestigious Triple Crown and secured his first Cy Young Award. As discussions around a Tarik Skubal contract extension grow urgent, the Tigers face pressure to keep their star pitcher before he reaches free agency and demands a record-setting deal.

Skubal’s Rise and Contract Situation

Skubal’s breakthrough in 2024 placed him among baseball’s elite pitchers, helping Detroit clinch a playoff berth. He received a notable raise through arbitration, securing a one-year contract worth $10.15 million after previously earning $7.5 million. However, with only one year remaining on his current deal, the Tigers risk losing their ace if they do not extend him soon.

The 2025 season has seen Skubal continue his impressive form, posting a 10-2 record and 2.15 ERA across 17 starts while accumulating 138 strikeouts. Despite fans urging the Tigers to offer a substantial contract extension, uncertainty remains because Detroit is a smaller market team, raising doubts over whether the organization will commit the necessary funds to retain him.

Calls from Within Baseball to Secure Skubal

Voices close to the team have stressed the importance of locking Skubal in proactively. Ben Verlander, brother of former Tigers ace Justin Verlander, pressed the organization to act decisively and avoid losing Skubal to free agency.

“You go into a rebuild and say you’re building around arms. You find this guy, Tarik Skubal, in the ninth round. Tarik Skubal is the rebuild. He’s entering his prime — you have to lock him up now.” —Ben Verlander

“Detroit fans have suffered long enough. Since 2017, it’s been nothing but disappointment. So what message are you sending to the fan base, to the organization, to the city of Detroit if, after nearly a decade of preaching development and rebuilding around pitching, you finally develop the best arm in the game — a guy the city has rallied around, a guy who eats, sleeps, and breathes Detroit — and you still hesitate?” —Ben Verlander

“Do not trade him. Do not let him walk. Do not let this get to free agency. Do not drag this out. Extend Tarik Skubal. Now.” —Ben Verlander

Ben’s perspective may be influenced by his brother Justin Verlander’s history in Detroit, where Justin signed two lucrative extensions during a 13-year tenure. The younger Verlander’s contracts included an $80 million five-year deal early on and a later extension worth $140 million. However, with Skubal’s continued dominance, his future contract could exceed those figures substantially.

Expert Projections on Skubal’s Potential Contract

Prominent MLB insider Jeff Passan has projected that Skubal could become the first pitcher in history to sign a $400 million contract if he remains healthy and continues performing at a Cy Young level. Passan’s prediction has intensified debate on whether the Tigers can, or will, commit to such a massive financial investment.

“The foundation for the first $400 million pitcher is there.” —Jeff Passan

Given Detroit’s current payroll of approximately $144.5 million, with key players like Jack Flaherty and Javier Baez each earning around $25 million annually, adding a contract of Skubal’s potential magnitude would represent a significant financial leap. This challenge complicates the team’s ability to structure an extension that satisfies both the player’s anticipated market value and the organization’s budget constraints.

Implications for the Tigers’ Future

The decision on a Tarik Skubal contract extension carries major implications for the Tigers. Retaining Skubal would not only preserve their competitive edge but also send a strong message to fans and the city that Detroit is committed to building around its pitching talent. Conversely, losing him could delay the team’s rebuild and deepen fan frustration after years of underperformance.

As the offseason approaches, the Tigers must weigh their financial limitations against the potential cost of losing one of baseball’s brightest stars. The organization’s ability to act swiftly and decisively could define its trajectory for years to come, making the Skubal extension one of the most critical decisions on the horizon for Detroit baseball.