BREAKING: The Detroit Tigers have officially extended manager A.J. Hinch‘s contract as they aim for a long-term deal with ace pitcher Tarik Skubal. General manager Scott Harris announced the developments during a news conference on Monday morning, just days after the team’s heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Seattle in the AL Division Series Game 5.
Harris confirmed that he approached Hinch about the contract extension during the 2025 season, marking the second time the manager’s contract has been extended. “He’s one of the best managers in the game,” Harris stated, emphasizing his commitment to keeping Hinch in Detroit. The duration of the extension remains undisclosed, but Harris expressed a strong desire for Hinch to remain with the organization long-term.
As the Tigers focus on the future, they are determined to secure Skubal, who recently won the AL Cy Young Award and achieved a remarkable 2.21 ERA alongside 241 strikeouts in the 2024 season. The 28-year-old left-handed pitcher is under contract for $10.15 million for one year and is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season. Harris made it clear that team owner Chris Ilitch is ready to invest significantly to keep Skubal off the open market. “I have no concerns about that,” Harris affirmed.
The urgency behind these moves stems from the Tigers’ recent struggles, including a dramatic collapse in September where they lost the largest lead in division or league history. Harris acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and the need for improvement, stating, “I deserve to get those questions and we deserve the negative narrative that is swirling around this team.”
Despite holding the best record in baseball for much of the season, the Tigers failed to enhance their roster at the trade deadline, a decision Harris is now reflecting upon. “Maybe we should’ve” added more depth to the lineup, he conceded.
As the Tigers prepare for the offseason, all eyes are on the potential for substantial investments that could reshape the team’s future. With Hinch’s contract secured and Skubal’s future uncertain, the organization is at a pivotal moment that could define its trajectory in the coming years. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as developments unfold.
