Tarik Skubal made a small joke during his Cy Young Award acceptance speech Saturday that likely had some Detroit Tigers fans’ ears perking up.
Skubal accepted his second consecutive Cy Young Award at the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan, N.Y. After Skubal took to the podium for his speech, the Tigers’ ace began with a humorous remark about going for a three-peat.
“It’s an honor to be back here, and it’s something I’ll never take for granted,” Skubal said.
“After last year’s dinner, I told AJ [Hinch], ‘Same time, next year.’ But I didn’t really know it’d become a reality. Skip, for the sake of superstition and a three-peat, let’s go ahead and keep the same plan for a year from now.”
Tarik Skubal accepted his 2025 AL Cy Young Award on Saturday night.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 25, 2026
“After last year’s dinner, I told AJ (Hinch), same time next year,” the Tigers ace said.
“Skip, for the sake of superstition and a three-peat, let’s go ahead and keep the same plan for a year from now.” pic.twitter.com/l7qwU8url3
Tigers fans would gladly welcome such an outcome. If Skubal is once again accepting his Cy Young Award and thanking Tigers manager AJ Hinch in his speech, there’s a good chance that means he’s signed a long-term deal to stay in Detroit.
The Tigers have a serious decision to make with Skubal next season. The hard-throwing left-hander is a year away from hitting free agency, when many expect him to command the largest salary for a pitcher in MLB history.
There’s a world wherein the Tigers trade Skubal at the deadline to recoup some assets rather than risk losing him for nothing. But it sure sounds like Skubal is open to sticking around in Michigan for at least another season if the price is right.
