Detroit, MI — At MLB’s annual GM’s conference Wednesday, super agent Scott Boras sent a message that was both humorous and pointed to the Detroit Tigers, regarding the contract extension of star left-hander Tarik Skubal — just hours before the 28-year-old left-hander was set to receive his second consecutive AL Cy Young Award.
In typical Boras fashion, the “half-joke, half-truth” statement sent shockwaves through the media and Detroit fans:
“The fans in Detroit want the Tigers to build a ‘Tarik barrack,’” Boras emphasized, playing on Skubal’s name and the iconic Little Caesars Arena. “Little Caesars are running around the city screaming ‘Cy! Cy!’ Everyone knows it’s Skubal Day. They understand that the organization would be completely different if he wasn’t here. It should be ‘Scooby-done,’ right? Otherwise, the fans would definitely call it a ‘Detroit doink.’”
Boras’ message wasn’t just a joke. It was a subtle reminder that Skubal is the heart of the Tigers, and the team’s long-term plans depend on keeping the lefty. With a league-leading 2.21 ERA and 195⅓ innings pitched in 2025, Skubal has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, helping to put the Tigers back in the playoff race.
Back last season, Skubal turned down an extension offer under $100 million, is now eligible for salary arbitration at $22.5 million for 2026, and is expected to enter free agency with a megadeal worth around $400 million. Boras emphasized:
“We’re open to hearing anything Chris [Ilitch] or Scott [Harris] has to say.”
While Tigers management remains tight-lipped about the details of the deal, the pressure to keep Skubal is mounting. Detroit fans understand the importance of retaining the heart and soul of their pitching room — a player with 6.6 WAR who can make or break any playoff run.
Skubal, not letting Boras “go it alone,” also asserted his loyalty:
“I want to be a Tiger for a very long time.”
The announcement has Detroit fans hopeful, but it has also made the negotiating clock tick faster than ever. Will the Tigers respond to Boras’ message with a record-breaking contract, or will Skubal enter free agency for a huge price?
This marks one of the most important moments in the Tigers’ recent history: keeping their key ace or seeing a departure that could completely change the team’s appearance. With Detroit just returning to the playoffs, keeping Skubal is not only a financial decision, but also a matter of strategic survival.
Fans are closely following every development, with every tweet and every interview between Boras and Skubal potentially becoming a “push” that decides the future of the team. And one thing is for sure: Detroit’s heart is beating to the rhythm of Tarik Skubal’s pitching.
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