American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal recently agreed to a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers and is keeping any discussions about a long-term contract private.
“I’ll keep that pretty private,” Skubal told The Associated Press on Sunday during halftime of Michigan State’s win over Illinois. “But I love playing in Detroit and I’m excited to get down to spring training.”
Earlier this month, Skubal and the Tigers avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $10.15 million.
Tigers pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training on February 12 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers will start the season on March 27 with a road game against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 28-year-old left-hander had an outstanding season, leading the American League with 18 wins, a 2.39 ERA, and a major league-best 228 strikeouts in 31 starts. He was the unanimous choice for the league’s top pitcher award.
Skubal was a key contributor to Detroit’s late-season surge, helping the Tigers earn a wild card spot and ending the franchise’s decade-long playoff drought. The Tigers swept the Houston Astros in the opening round but were eliminated by the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Division Series.
“We’re a young team, and a hungry team,” Skubal said. “I’m as confident as I was at the end of the year going into spring training with the additions we made and the guys we have coming back.”
The Tigers strengthened their roster by adding two-time All-Star second baseman Gleyber Torres and right-handed pitcher Alex Cobb, each signing one-year deals worth $15 million.
“Gleyber Torres hit one probably 470 feet off me at Comerica, so I’m glad he’s on our team,” Skubal said with a smile.
