Tigers Secure Future: Renewed Hinch and Long-Term Bet on Skubal

Tigers Secure Future with Hinch and Aim to Retain Skubal

Detroit Tigers general manager Scott Harris announced the extension of manager A.J. Hinch’s contract through the 2025 season. In addition, Harris assured that the ownership is committed to providing the necessary resources to sign ace Tarik Skubal to a long-term deal. Harris and Hinch held a press conference on Monday morning, summarizing a season that ended last week with a 15-inning loss to Seattle in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. The focus is now on next year and beyond.

“I wish we weren’t here right now. I wish we were in Toronto, getting ready for Game 2 of the American League Championship Series.”

Scott Harris

Harris revealed that he approached Hinch, who is in his fifth year in Detroit, to extend his contract for the second time, and they quickly reached an agreement. Harris also signed Hinch to a long-term contract in 2023.

“He’s one of the best managers in the game,” Harris said.

Scott Harris

Harris did not specify the length of Hinch’s contract.

“We want him to be here as long as he wants to be here. I want to work with him as long as I can,” Harris added.

Scott Harris

The Tigers also want to keep Skubal in Detroit for many years, but they recognize that this will involve a significant cost. Skubal won the American League Cy Young Award and was the league’s pitching Triple Crown winner in 2024, followed by a 2.21 ERA, the lowest of his career, and 241 strikeouts, the highest figure of his career.

“He’s the best pitcher in baseball. We hope he wins his second Cy Young,” Harris said.

Scott Harris

Skubal signed a one-year contract for $10.15 million during the previous offseason, avoiding salary arbitration, and will become a free agent after the 2026 season. To prevent Skubal from reaching the market, team owner Chris Ilitch will need to invest a large amount of money. Harris assured that Ilitch will back the organization with the necessary funds for the payroll, including what is required to retain the 28-year-old left-hander in the long term.

“I have no concerns about it,” Harris stated.

Scott Harris

Harris did express concern about the Tigers’ collapse in September, when they squandered the largest lead in their division or league history, and about their poor postseason performance.

“I deserve these questions and we deserve the negative narrative that is circulating around the team”, he said.

Scott Harris

Detroit had the best record in baseball for much of the season, but then suffered a slump at the trade deadline, during which Harris did not make any major transactions. Although Harris did not regret not having signed the pitchers that were offered to him, he admitted that it is valid to question why he did not add a bat to the lineup.

“Maybe we should have done it,” he concluded.

Scott Harris