EAST LANSING, Mich. — Tarik Skubal, the recent Cy Young Award recipient from the American League, has come to an agreement with the Detroit Tigers on a one-year contract, while he has chosen to keep any discussions regarding a long-term contract undisclosed.

“I’ll keep that pretty private,” Skubal mentioned during a Sunday event coinciding with Michigan State’s victory over Illinois. “But I love playing in Detroit and I’m eager to get down to spring training.”

Earlier this month, Skubal and the Tigers sidestepped salary arbitration by signing a one-year deal worth $10.15 million.

Pitchers and catchers for the Tigers are scheduled to report for spring training on February 12 in Lakeland, Florida. The team will kick off their season on March 27 with an away game against the reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 28-year-old left-handed pitcher achieved remarkable success last season, leading the American League with 18 victories, maintaining a 2.39 earned run average (ERA), and recording a total of 228 strikeouts, the highest in the majors, across 31 starts. He was unanimously recognized as the best pitcher in the league.

Skubal played a crucial role in helping the Tigers secure a wild card spot, ending the team’s long-standing postseason drought of ten years. The Tigers managed to sweep the Houston Astros in the opening playoff round, though they were eliminated by the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series.

“We’re a young and hungry team,” Skubal expressed. “I feel as confident as I did at the end of last season heading into spring training, especially with the new additions we’ve made and the return of our key players.”

To enhance their roster, the Tigers added two-time All-Star second baseman Gleyber Torres and right-handed pitcher Alex Cobb, both of whom signed one-year contracts valued at $15 million.

“I remember Gleyber hitting a ball that probably went 470 feet off me at Comerica, so I’m thrilled he’s joining our team,” Skubal said with a smile.