Key Points:
Buster Olney gave a Tarik Skubal update
The Tigers’ pursuits have continued
The asking price was revealed
The Detroit Tigers made the playoffs last season but failed to advance to the World Series despite a promising season during which they had the best record in the Majors from several weeks.
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The Tigers’ final playoff loss to the Seattle Mariners included a six-inning, 13 strikeout performance from ace Tarik Skubal that ended in a 3-2 loss as Skubal’s willingness to go the extra mile was strongly questoned.
On Friday, the Tigers’ pursuit of a potential trade of their star pitcher was given an update by legendary ESPN scribe Buster Olney, who revealed the latest tea leaves on the complicated offseason situation.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal high-fives teammates in the dugout after a pitching change during the seventh inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
Tigers Shopping Ace Pitcher
The Tigers are still shopping Skubal according to Olney, who had a long form update for fans on Friday afternoon.
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“The Tigers continue to be engaged with other teams in discussing the Tarik Skubal trade options,” he wrote.
“Still unclear whether they’ll actually move the left-hander in a big trade; the asking prices are enormous, as you could imagine.
“He could be the biggest different-maker for a new team in ’26, and Detroit would have to get significant value in return to do this.
“The Tigers can end the conversation at any point by announcing they’re keeping him.”
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Skubal’s 2025 Improvement
Skubal improved on his 2024 Cy Young campaign with another stellar effort in 2025.
He lowered his ERA from 2.39 to 2.21, the best mark of his career and third straight sub-3.00 season.
He struck out 241 batters, the most of his career in the Major Leagues.
He gave up 141 hits in just over 195 innings, slightly better than the previous season’s marks in those categories.
His strikeouts to bases on balls ratio tied two seasons ago as the best mark in that category in his career.
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The Tigers’ ace isn’t just a frontline MLB pitcher, he is regarded as the best pitcher in Major League Baseball across the board.
Detroit would have to get a king’s ransom in return to move Skubal, especially with A.J. Hinch and company on the verge of a potential World Series berth this season.
The Tigers know the difficulties associated with keeping arguably MLB’s best player outside of Dodgers all-world superstar and two-time World Series champion Shohei Ohtani, making this a situation to keep an eye on all offseason.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.