Tarik Skubal Makes Tigers World Series Pledge Amid Offseason Trade Rumors

The Detroit Tigers started off the 2025 season as the team to beat in the eyes of many Major League Baseball fans before wilting down the stretch and recovering to make the playoffs.

An all-time great divisional playoff series against the Seattle Mariners sent the Ms to the American League Championship Series and the Tigers home, wondering about the fate of their rising young team and ace pitcher Tarik Skubal.

Skubal has become a big part of the Detroit sports landscape in recent days as he has attended Lions, Red Wings, Pistons, and Michigan State basketball games, showing off his familiar face to the local sports faithful.

Following the MSU vs. Oakland University game, which ended in a Spartans victory, the Tigers’ fireballer shared was given an opportunity to make a pledge and did so according to Oakland coach Greg Kampe.

Kampe Shares Skubal Pledge

Kampe has coached the Golden Grizzlies since 1984, coming over from the Toledo Rockets at age 28 to lead their basketball program.

Kampe has since become a big time Detroit sports fan as evidenced by his recent decision to take his granddaughter to the Detroit Lions‘ game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field.

“Nothing better in life after another tough loss to the Spartans than feeding your Graddaughter a brownie at a Lions game,” Kampe wrote on Sunday.

“A few days off to enjoy the holidays,” he added.

The post came shortly after he revealed a World Series wish he shared with Skubal that caused the Tigers pitcher to push his chips to the center of the table.

“Visited the locker room yesterday,” Kampe wrote on X Sunday.

“Asked him if he remembered catching my 25mph heater when I threw out the first (pitch) a couple years ago. He did. I told him we need his 100mph heater to get us to World Series next summer.

“Said he was all in. LFG,” Kampe added along with a picture of him and Detroit’s best hurler.

Skubal Contract Situation Remains Murky

Skubal’s contract situation remains murky following news of a meeting with Tigers officials after his tour of four different sporting events.

Skubal’s agent Scott Boras’ clients are notorious for not signing contract extensions. The Tigers and Skubal have been rumored to be miles apart on a potential extension, but fans, journalists, and, perhaps, the Tigers brass believe he is worth handing a blank check of sorts.

Mike Axisa of CBS Sports believes the Tigers should move heaven and earth to keep him in Motown.

“Perhaps the most obvious gift of the holiday season. Skubal, the reigning two-time AL Cy Young winner, is a year away from free agency, and while Scott Boras clients usually don’t sign extensions, why not put one on the list?” Axisa wrote.

“Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Zack Wheeler have already crossed the $40 million-per-year-line as starting pitchers, albeit on short-term deals.

“Make Skubal the first $40 million a year pitcher on a long-term contract (nine years?) and call it a holiday season,” Axisa wrote according to Sports Illustrated.

The Tigers recently added likely future Hall-of-Fame reliever Kenley Jansen to a bullpen that needed serious help.

Adding Skubal would help Detroit fans sleep much better at night, while keeping the World Series dreams of Kampe, and the legions of Tigers fans in Michigan and beyond, alive and well heading into 2026.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Tarik Skubal Makes Tigers World Series Pledge Amid Offseason Trade Rumors

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