Tarik Skubal’s starts in a Detroit Tigers uniform may very well be numbered.
The reigning AL Cy Young winner has been the subject of trade rumors over the past couple of seasons — whispers that only grew louder with the Tigers’ slow start to the 2026 campaign. But with Detroit winning 10 of its last 13 games entering Saturday, Skubal reportedly looks destined to stay put for the time being.
According to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, Skubal “seems much more likely to stay” with the Tigers for at least the rest of the season. But Heyman also adds that Detroit has “almost no chance” to keep him for much longer than that.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported Saturday that the Tigers would need to get an overwhelming offer to even consider moving Skubal this season. Skubal himself reportedly has “zero appetite” to get traded before the year ends, believing that Detroit has a serious shot at winning the World Series.
Tigers fans may soon have to accept the reality that the 2026 season could represent their last with Skubal atop their rotation.
Skubal turned in another excellent start on Saturday, pitching seven scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels. The outing dropped his ERA to 2.83 with a 0.93 WHIP across 14 starts.
Despite the Tigers’ recent run of success, Detroit still sits 3.5 games out of a Wild Card spot and 5.5 games out of first in the AL Central.
