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Tarik Skubal’s Potential Next Stop After Tigers Standoff

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Oct 14, 2025 5:56 AM ET

So, the Detroit Tigers are on the clock.

Team president Scott Harris was optimistic in the season wrap-up press conference this week. He stated that Skubal is a Tiger and the organization has the resources to re-sign him.

But they haven't yet.

And Skubal's price is only going to go higher if he wins his second straight Cy Young award next month. Harris cannot go into the winter assuming he will be able to reach a deal with Scott Boras, Skubal's agent.

And, if they cannot, the Tigers have to at least consider trading him this winter. If they cannot extend him before next May, they absolutely cannot let him go without getting franchise-changing prospects in return.

That would be malpractice.

Here are the top three places the Tigers could look to use this time and money crunch to land a front-line ace.

Seattle Mariners

Seattle’s identity is run prevention. They used solid starting pitching, leveraged the bullpen, played tight games, and placed a premium on swing-and-miss to end the Tigers' season. They’re positioned to pay for a true No. 1 because the window is open and the system can absorb a hit.

Seattle can headline with an MLB-ready bat and attach a controllable starter without gutting the core. A winter move maximizes Detroit’s return; July 2026 inevitably trims the price. Example packages:
• Cole Young (SS) + Emerson Hancock (RHP) + high-upside A-ball prospect.
• Harry Ford (C) + Emerson Hancock (RHP) + mid-tier prospect.
If the price escalates, a conversation that includes Bryan Woo is where talks get serious.

Boston Red Sox

Boston has been public about needing impact pitching to turn a good rotation into a championship one. They struck out with Walker Buehler last year and Lucas Giolito was unable to stay healthy. Imagine Garrett Crochet and Skubal in a playoff rotation; it changes how a seven-game series feels the minute he arrives.

If extension talks stall, Boston can push now before free agency musical chairs start and while key young bats are inexpensive. July 2026 is the fallback if they need one last shove at the top of the American League East.

They would need a MLB-ready position player, a top-100 arm, plus a lottery ticket to pull off the deal.
Example package:
• Marcelo Mayer (SS/3B) + Hunter Dobbins (RHP) + Luis Perales (RHP).

New York Mets

The New York Mets need a true No. 1 to set their 2026 rotation. Owner Steve Cohen paid the premium for Juan Soto, but without pitching, it will go to waste.

A winter strike deal is ideal for the Mets. They could land the ace, build around him. If that stalls, July 2026 works as the finishing piece.

They have the near-MLB headline bats and upper-level pitching to pull off the deal.

Example packages:
• Jett Williams (SS/CF) + Brandon Sproat (RHP) + Ryan Clifford (OF/1B).
• Luisangel Acuna (2B/SS) + Jonah Tong (RHP) + Carson Benge (OF).

What An Extension Would Cost

If the Detroit Tigers want to end the noise, they need to spend real money.

The standard is set by recent ace deals. Corbin Burnes at six years and $210 million with an early opt-out. Zack Wheeler at three years and $126 million with a premium AAV.

If Skubal reaches the market, however, think Max Fried and then nudge it up for age and potential back-to-back Cy level.

The clean comp is a seven-year deal in the $220 to 2$35 million range with a full no-trade clause, no opt outs, a modest signing bonus, and softer early salaries before settling around $28 to $31 million a year.

If 2026 turns into another Cy push or a bidding war breaks out, you are looking at eight years in the $240 to $260 million neighborhood.

That is the neighborhood Detroit is trying to beat now with an extension. The Tigers can afford it.

Javier Baez has a contract worth $24 million through 2027. Most of the rest is clean. Core bats are young and cheap into 2026. The rotation behind Skubal is cost-controlled. If ownership signs off, Detroit can carry a top-of-market AAV by using a signing bonus and mild front loading without breaking the roster.

What Comes Next

The Tigers have the home-field advantage now.

They can make Skubal an offer he can’t refuse, and he never has to hit the free agent market. They can use their strong minor league system to build around him for the future.

If not, if they reach a standoff with Boras and Skubal, they need to make sure they get something in return when he leaves.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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