Tarik Skubal Commits to Pitch for Team USA in 2026 WBC amid MLB Trade Rumors

Baseball fans now know for certain where two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will be pitching in 2026, at least when it comes to the international side.

The Detroit Tigers ace announced Thursday he'll represent the United States in the World Baseball Classic:

Skubal joins a rotation that includes fellow 2025 Cy Young recipient Paul Skenes, and USA Baseball confirmed Thursday that San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller will take part.

San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb also committed on Thursday:

Between his time with the Padres and Athletics, Miller registered 22 saves and averaged 15.2 strikeouts per nine innings. According to Baseball Savant, he ranked in the top one percent in all of MLB in expected batting average (.158) and expected slugging percentage (.276).

Miller's fastball averaged triple digits (101.2 mph) for the second straight year.

Skubal is likewise coming off another dominant season on the mound. In 195.1 innings for Detroit, he finished with 241 strikeouts to just 33 walks. The southpaw also once again led the American League in ERA (2.21) and FIP (2.45).

One big question surrounding Skubal is whether he'll still be on the Tigers by the time the World Baseball Classic gets underway in March.

The 29-year-old is eligible for free agency in 2027, and Spotrac pegs his contract valuation at $37.5 million annually. Re-signing him could prove too costly for Detroit, so one idea is trading him now and getting back a haul of top prospects.

Skubal's trade value isn't contingent on how he performs in the World Baseball Classic, and the 2026 MLB season gets underway eight days after the WBC final on March 17. It's doubtful the tournament will have a meaningful impact on his market.

A big showing from Skubal would at least serve as another data point and perhaps motivate a rival front office to make an offer that's too good for the Tigers to turn down later on.