The Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline, and in a few months, he will be a free agent.
Skubal will be free to sign with any team, but in reality, there are very few teams that can afford him. The Detroit Tigers do not figure to be one of those teams, but Skubal is holding out hope.
It was tough to say goodbye to Detroit for Tarik Skubal pic.twitter.com/VUqFWAHDkK
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) August 7, 2026
“I would love to play my entire career in Detroit," Skubal said on "Pardon My Take" on Friday. "Hopefully those negotiations can pick back up in November, once the playoffs are done. Hopefully, they’re involved with everything. I would love to return”
Unfortunately, Skubal should not hold his breath. If the Tigers could afford him, he would still be in Detroit. In fact, he would already have the deal he is looking for.
He won back-to-back Cy Young Awards for the Tigers, and nearly had them in the National League Championship Series last year. He is deserving of a huge payday, and the Tigers simply don't hand out the type of contract he is looking for.
For now, Skubal is a Dodger, looking to help the team three-peat. When free agency begins, the Dodgers will surely be one of the top contenders to sign him. Not only do they have the inside track, but winning a championship could convince Skubal to stick around. Additionally, not many teams are going to have the spending power to go after him anyway.
He is likely looking for the largest pitching contract in league history. The Dodgers, New York Mets and New York Yankees might be the only teams that can give that to him, but only one of those teams can allow him to become a core player on what is becoming one of the best dynasties ever.