With The Post reporting that the Tigers were likely about $250 million short in their offer a year ago on Cy Young pitcher Tarik Skubal and thus unlikely to extend him soon, their next best option is to keep him and try to win, not trade him.
Recent history of stars traded before their walk year (Mookie Betts, Juan Soto, Kyle Tucker) shows teams get a fraction of the player’s worth.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts after striking out Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh during the sixth inning in Game 5 of baseball’s American League Division Series Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. AP
One rival executive’s opinion: The Yankees were the best team in the AL.
Betts is a miracle. He’s one of the best at SS now, and deserving of his Gold Glove nomination. But he said he hopes his shortstop tutor, Miguel Rojas, wins (Rojas is nominated as a utility player). Betts already as six Gold Gloves.