If Tigers keep Skubal they win the American League

      Yesterday the Detroit Tigers and Tarik Skubal found out the cost to keep the Cy Young winner would be 32 million a year for 2026.  Having just committed 38 million a year to Framber Valdez the day before, some have suggested the Tigers can't afford both pitchers for the entire 2026 season.  Every team in baseball would love to make the trade that brings a two time cy young pitcher to their organization, but if the Tigers are serious about winning the world series, they now have the staff and line up to do it.

     The Detroit Tigers have the best young outfield in baseball and manager A.J. Hinch knows exactly how to use them.  Much like the Astros teams that Hinch lead to the World Series, these Tigers have offense from all sides of the plate.  Riley Greene, Parker Meadows, and Kerry Carpenter are all three all-star candidates with long term futures.  Wenceel Perez will split time with Carpenter at both right field and designated hitter.  Spencer Torkelson, a past first pick draft selection, Gleybor Torres and Colt Keith all can hit for power.  The shortstop position appears to be their only weakness with aging veteran Javier Baez battling Zach McKinstry for the starting position.  Baez is still a very good defensive option and he definitely improved his strikeout ratio over the past season.  

     The pitching staff is now the strength for a team that needed pitching. Framber Valdez has big game experience and success, and Tarik Skubal is the best pitcher in the American League.  Having two top level aces puts the Tigers in the conversation with the Dodgers staff.  Jack Flaherty is another guy with a successful history in big games and Casey Mize is as solid a fourth starter as there is in baseball.  Will Vest, Tyler Holten, and Kenley Jansen make up a solid late inning bullpen when needed.  

     The Tigers must determine if they can afford both Valdez and Skubal, but one thing for certain, if they can they will win in 2026.