Tigers could face competition from Phillies for Tarik Skubal in free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Detroit Tigers have a big problem that will need to be resolved in the future. With Tarik Skubal set to hit free agency after the 2026 season, the massive deal for the Cy Young left-hander is something Detroit has to come to terms with.

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Trading a player like Skubal is out of the question, barring a complete disaster in the first half of 2026. Instead, the Tigers should be looking to extend Skubal on a huge deal to keep one of the top pitchers in baseball in Detroit.

However, as Jordan Campbell of Motor City Bengals pointed out, that could be easier said than done thanks to the involvement of the Philadelphia Phillies. They normally wouldn’t be involved, but some recent news could make the Phillies the Tigers’ top competition for Skubal after the 2026 season.

Why the Phillies Would Be in on Tarik Skubal

Across baseball, few teams have as strong a rotation as the Phillies. Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, along with Jesus Luzardo, Ranger Suarez, and top prospect Andrew Painter, make up a stacked rotation.

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However, with Wheeler being diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome, his 2025 season is done, and his future could also be in jeopardy. With Suarez and Luzardo hitting free agency soon, the Phillies could turn to Skubal as a pitcher addition.

The contract for Skubal will be huge, and the Phillies, unlike the Tigers, have shown their willingness to spend on their team lately.

“Assuming good health,” Campbell writes, “the expectation is that Skubal will command a contract north of $400 million – a price point that won’t scare the Yankees, Dodgers, and Phillies, but would force the Tigers to step out of their comfort zone.”

MORE: One Jack Flaherty statistic that should concern Tigers fans

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Teams like the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers will always be linked to top players in free agency. But, after their big-money deals over the last few free agent periods, they might not be as strong of suitors for Skubal.

The Phillies, meanwhile, due to the departure of multiple starters and the scary injury to Wheeler, could look to add Skubal to bolster their rotation. Philadelphia hasn’t shied away from big deals and could easily spend the money to bring in Skubal.

Detroit, on the other hand, as Campbell mentions, isn’t as well-known as a big spender. While Skubal would be the perfect chance to spend big, the Tigers could get beaten out by the Phillies in a disastrous scenario in free agency.

Worrying about Skubal departing might be jumping the gun, as he’s still around for another year and the remainder of this incredible season for Detroit so far. But it is something to keep in mind as Skubal’s free agency approaches.

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Skubal is going to earn a huge payday, and the Phillies, amid the Wheeler news, could be their top competition come winter of 2026-2027.

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