The Detroit Tigers‘ offseason has been filled with more rumors than actual action to this point, and to the dismay of their fans, many of those rumors have involved superstar starting pitcher Tarik Skubal. With the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner set for a new deal after the 2026 season, the Tigers have spent much of the offseason weighing whether or not they should trade Skubal.
For the time being, Detroit finds itself in an arbitration battle with Skubal, which could play a role in determining what the team does with arguably the best pitcher in the majors right now. In the event things go south, a recent report seems to indicate that the Tigers are beginning to map out a backup plan, which could involve signing veteran starting pitchers Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito.
Tigers Eyeing Chris Bassitt, Lucas Giolito Amid Tarik Skubal Trade Rumors
Over the past two seasons, Skubal has blossomed into a bona fide ace for the Tigers. His breakout campaign came in 2024, when he posted an 18-4 record with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts. He was even better in 2025, as he had a 13-6 record with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts. In both seasons, he won the American League Cy Young Award.
Considering how dominant he’s been on the mound, Skubal is understandably going to get paid at some point in the near future. The question is whether or not the Tigers will be the ones signing his checks. The team has seemed skeptical of giving Skubal such a big deal, which has led to a tense arbitration standoff.
As crazy as it may sound, there’s a real shot that Detroit trades Skubal before he could potentially hit the open market and leave for nothing. And should Skubal head elsewhere, rumors have begun to pop up that are linking the team to a pair of veteran right-handed starters in Bassitt and Giolito.
“The Detroit Tigers continue to explore the starting-pitching market, talking to free-agent right-handers Lucas Giolito and Chris Bassitt, among others, according to a person briefed on their conversations,” Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic recently reported.
What Should the Tigers Do with Tarik Skubal?
GettyDetroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal.
The easy solution to this problem for Detroit would be to simply give Skubal what he wants, but it’s not as simple as that. As a smaller market team, the Tigers don’t have the financial flexibility to give Skubal a massive contract without batting an eye. The front office needs to see if there’s a way they can toe the line by giving Skubal what he wants, while also being able to keep the rest of the roster in tip-top shape.
How Skubal’s arbitration process unfolds could ultimately determine what path the Tigers take. If Detroit ends up signing one of Bassitt or Giolito, too, that could signal their attention to move on from their homegrown star. A lot would have to happen in order for this doomsday scenario to come true, but it looks like the front office is preparing for this outcome at the very least.
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