Boston Red Sox fans — and fans across MLB — have become very familiar with Detroit Tigers ace, Tarik Skubal over the last year or two. In Sox fans' case, Skubal was a 2025 American League Cy Young Award finalist alongside their ace, Garrett Crochet, and the former netted his second-consecutive win.
Trade rumors also followed Skubal and the Tigers around all offseason, including some unlikely ties to Boston. The lefty will hit free agency after the upcoming season and most insiders expect him to earn the highest contract ever signed by a free agent pitcher. Detroit is certainly not likely to meet his demands, and neither are the Red Sox, if their recent free agent history is any indication.
But Sox fans have found optimism in a recent podcast appearance by Skubal. Apparently, he loves Fenway Park as much as Red Sox fans do.
"Fenway, when you go there, the fans are, first off, incredible. They're like, real baseball fans, I think that they understand the game. And then 'Sweet Caroline' is the coolest thing ever in the stadium," Skubal said during an appearance on the "BSBLR Show" podcast. "...The game of baseball is always interesting because of the Monster. You're never out of it if you're down because weird things happen there..."
Tarik Skubal shares love of Fenway Park in recent podcast appearance, exciting Red Sox fans
Fenway Park is often a favorite ballpark among big leaguers because of its history (which Skubal cited as one of his favorite things about it, dated facilities and all) and because of its friendly dimensions for hitters. If Skubal likes Fenway Park and Red Sox fans enough, they could be a top destination on his free agent wish list for next offseason.
Even if Skubal loves Boston, there will be plenty of competition for his services. He's been one of the best pitchers, if not the best, in baseball for two seasons running and he's showed no signs of stopping. In 2025, he posted a 2.21 ERA, the lowest in the AL, a 0.891 WHIP, the lowest in MLB, AL-leading 187 ERA+ and 2.45 FIP and 241 strikeouts over 195.1 innings. Skubal will have the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and Yankees, and every other big market team lined up to sign him to the most lucrative deal a pitcher has ever signed. The Red Sox should be among them.
Boston hasn't been inclined to pay the best available free agents in recent years and fans are right to measure their expectations — landing Skubal is a huge ask. But if he loves Fenway Park and the city of Boston as much as he says he does, the Red Sox may be able to make something work. He and Crochet would be the most frightening duo at the top of a rotation in MLB, and that dominance would be worth any price.