Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), having won back-to-back Cy Young awards in the American League. This offseason, he committed to pitch for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC), joining forces with 2025 National League Cy Young award winner Paul Skenes and other top arms.

With two weeks before the WBC was set to begin, Skubal came out publicly and said he would make only one start for the United States.

Although it was part of the condition for joining the national team, fans were outraged that their top pitcher would make only one start on the world stage, including me. Skubal, who is set to be a free agent at the end of the 2026 MLB season, is focused on having a strong MLB season to make the most amount of money.

If I were participating in this magnitude of a tournament, I would play my heart out to bring my country home a championship. It is inconsiderate that you are playing for your country only once, just to focus on making more money. Why even commit to the team?

Skenes was originally at the Air Force before transferring to Louisiana State University to fully pursue baseball. He made two starts for Team USA in the WBC and pitched well, helping the team reach the championship appearance. Skubal, in his one start, gave up a leadoff home run on the first pitch he threw and only threw 44 pitches before returning to the Tigers to get ready for the season.

He is going to get a massive payday next offseason, but for now, I have a sour taste in my mouth for the lack of commitment he has for not playing for his own country.