The trophy collections of Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal continue to expand. Both pitchers, considered the top in baseball, added to their accolades as Skenes, at 23 years old, earned the National League Cy Young Award while Skubal secured the American League’s top pitching prize for the second consecutive year with the Detroit Tigers.
Despite their individual successes, Skenes and Skubal expressed their desire for their teams to achieve more in the upcoming 2026 season.
However, uncertainty looms over their future with their current clubs. Skubal, aged 28, is heading into the final year of his contract with the Tigers. While he hopes to stay in Detroit, the possibility of a trade remains due to financial considerations once he becomes a free agent.
Similarly, Skenes, under team control for the next decade, dismissed reports suggesting he wants to leave Pittsburgh. He emphasized his commitment to winning with the Pirates, a team that struggled in the NL Central in the previous season.
Skenes, the 2023 first overall pick, excelled in 2025, leading the league in ERA and strikeouts. Despite a mediocre win-loss record, he clinched the Cy Young Award unanimously. Skubal, on the other hand, received the AL Cy Young Award with a strong showing in voting.
Both pitchers started the All-Star Game and are now awaiting the announcement of the MVP awards. Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge are top contenders for the NL and AL MVP titles, respectively.
The upcoming season holds promise for Skenes, Skubal, and their teams as they aim for further success in the competitive world of baseball.