"The Tigers were the best team in the American League for a few months. They had a quiet deadline and narrowly avoided what would've been a historic collapse. While winning the Wild Card series and pushing the Mariners to the brink in the Division Series kept this from being a complete disaster, they unquestionably lost momentum in the second half. They're now facing a couple free agent departures and questions about the future for the sport's best pitcher."
"That was a noncompetitive proposal when Skubal was two years from the open market. His asking price has only climbed after another dominant season that moved him a year closer to free agency. It's not accurate to say that they're facing a $300MM gap -- the Tigers would obviously be willing to offer more than that now -- but it doesn't exactly point to them being likely to hammer out a long-term deal."
The Tigers dominated the American League for several months but lost second-half momentum despite winning a Wild Card series and challenging the Mariners in the Division Series. The roster faces immediate questions with a couple of free-agent departures and arbitration decisions pending. Guaranteed commitments include 2026 obligations of $30.5MM or $50.5MM depending on Flaherty's option, and total projected commitments of $71.142MM or $91.142MM through 2029. Several players are arbitration-eligible and potential non-tender candidates. Tarik Skubal draws heavy market speculation after another strong season, with previous offers far below rumored market targets and limited odds for a long-term deal.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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