World Baseball Classic’s Energy Is Winning Over MLB Stars

Even a Cy Young Award winner who’s just been through a bruising arbitration process is changed by the allure of the World Baseball Classic. 

Tigers ace Tarik Skubal was initially set to make just one start in the WBC and then promptly return to spring training with Detroit. The energy around the international baseball tournament since its start last week, however, is forcing a review of those plans—and the two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner could end up continuing with the U.S. team as long as it advances.

“I didn’t expect these types of emotions to run through my brain or my thoughts to differ,” Skubal said. “I was pretty committed to making a start and getting back to camp. Things have changed, obviously. That’s why I’m going to have some conversations and try to figure out a plan for me.”

A decision is expected “in the next couple of days,” as talks continue between Skubal, agent Scott Boras, and the Tigers.

Skubal started on the mound for the U.S. team Saturday, helping lead the squad to a 9–1 win over Great Britain. The Americans, seen as a tournament favorite along with defending champion Japan, have won both of their WBC games thus far, and can clinch a spot in the quarterfinals with a win Monday against Mexico. Japan has already sealed its spot there with wins so far over Chinese Taipei, Korea, and Australia. 

There haven’t been any viewership numbers released yet for the WBC, but qualitatively, reactions from players like Skubal have matched the robust fan energy that has existed thus far in each of the four pool-play locations: Tokyo, San Juan, Houston, and Miami.

“I got goosebumps. I get goosebumps now thinking about it,” said Royals pitcher Seth Lugo, competing in the San Juan pool for the Puerto Rican team, honoring his paternal grandfather. “You come off [the field], and fans are chanting your name. That doesn’t happen all the time. That’s really, really special.”

Playing for Country

The business of baseball can be a rugged one, as Skubal just learned through the arbitration proceedings with the Tigers that led to a record $32 million salary for the upcoming 2026 season. He’ll also become a free agent this offseason and is poised to set a salary record for a pitcher. An injury sustained in the WBC could dramatically alter that historic payday. 

Playing for one’s country, however, has stirred some rather different feelings—ones that many MLB players hope to continue into the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and similarly altered the competitive dynamic of the recent NBA All-Star Game. MLB and the MLB Players Association remain in negotiations with the LA28 organizing committee, and league commissioner Rob Manfred says there is “momentum” around those talks, but the sides haven’t come to an agreement to have major leaguers in the event.

“Obviously, the WBC is great, but it’s not the Olympics,” said Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper, a teammate of Skubal’s on the U.S. WBC team. “That’s no disrespect to the WBC or anything. But everybody knows when the Olympics are on, everybody is watching. Doesn’t matter what sport it is. It could be the most random sport, and it has all of the fans watching it. I hope L.A. ’28 happens.”