Tigers' Tarik Skubal Makes Decision After MLB's Big Change

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Mar 1, 2026 4:15 PM ET

The Detroit Tigers acted late in MLB free agency, but they made a move that reshaped the entire outlook of the team for the upcoming season. The front office added left‑hander Framber Valdez in free agency to slot alongside reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal at the top of the starting rotation.

That is huge because Detroit now has one of the best one‑two combinations in baseball, a duo capable of carrying the club deep into October rather than relying solely on Skubal. It also provides insurance as Skubal enters his final year under team control, with his long‑term future far from guaranteed.

The two sides could not agree on Skubal's salary this offseason and went to arbitration, making it difficult to envision the front office committing the type of money required to keep him on a new deal. Skubal will make $32 million this season before becoming a free agent in 2027.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29).© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Even so, it appears Skubal will not be dealt anytime soon, and his focus in 2026 will be staying at the top of his game. The 29‑year‑old ace has a rare opportunity to cement his place in history by winning a third straight Cy Young Award, and he enters the year as the favorite.

But there will be one major change across MLB this season with the debut of the Automated Ball‑Strike Challenge System, which allows teams to challenge individual pitches. Only the batter, pitcher or catcher can challenge an umpire’s call, and challenges must be made immediately by tapping a cap or helmet.

On Sunday, Skubal announced his personal approach to the new system. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Skubal said he likely will not challenge calls unless they are egregious and will leave the decision to his catchers.

Tarik Skubal says he probably won't challenge calls with the ABS system this year unless it's an egregious call, right down the middle. He'd rather just leave those decisions to his catchers.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 1, 2026

Skubal is preparing for his seventh season in Detroit. His excellence continued last year as he made his second consecutive All‑Star team and finished top 10 in AL MVP voting, an impressive feat for a starting pitcher. Across 31 starts, he posted a career‑low 2.21 ERA, a 13‑6 record and 241 strikeouts across 195 1/3 innings.

Skubal now enters 2026 with the chance to deliver another elite season while leading a Tigers team built to contend in a wide‑open American League Central.

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

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