DETROIT — Tarik Skubal mentioned his desire is to finish the season with the Tigers and compete for a championship, however he is aware of his subsequent begin might be his final with the group.
“I think we have a chance to win World Series,” Skubal mentioned Thursday. “I’ve said that since spring training. That’s never changed. That belief in this team has never changed throughout the season. Obviously we put ourselves in a tough situation, but I think we’ve come out of that situation playing really good baseball.
“Going into spring coaching and the entire offseason, I’ve by no means been extra motivated to attempt and win a World Series for this metropolis, the group that drafted me and helped develop me. That’s all the time been the objective, and that may by no means change except I’m advised I’m on a distinct group.”
The Tigers have until Aug. 3 to decide whether to keep Skubal, who can become a free agent after the World Series, or to deal the two-time Cy Young Award winner in a blockbuster trade to perhaps bolster their future with players and prospects.
Skubal (6-5. 2.83 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night at Comerica Park and acknowledged it might be his last start for the Tigers.
“That may be the fact,” he said. “But additionally 5 days later, there’s one other one at dwelling.”
The 29-year-old righty had surgery on May 6 to remove a loose body from his pitching elbow and returned to pitch on June 13.
“The approach the surgical procedure went is strictly the way it was supposed to go,” Skubal said. “I do not know if exceptional is the phrase I might use.”
Detroit was 22-38 at the start of June and has rallied well enough to be in the playoff picture as questions swirl about what the franchise will do with Skubal.
“There’s quite a lot of intrigue round him and the reason being, he’s actually good,” Tigers supervisor A.J. Hinch mentioned.
