Tarik Skubal crashes Kevin McGonigle press conference with funny moment
· Yahoo Sports
The press conference lasted 19 minutes, 14 seconds.
The Detroit Tigers and Kevin McGonigle made official an eight-year, $150 million contract extension Wednesday, April 15, in a small interview room at Comerica Park.
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There was a statement from president of baseball operations Scott Harris, an emotional reaction from McGonigle when he thanked his parents and plenty of questions from reporters.
And then Tarik Skubal raised his hand and chimed in.
"There's an upcoming road trip in Boston," Skubal said.
"Oh, here we go," McGonigle interjected.
"With day games Saturday and Sunday," Skubal continued. "I was just wondering if you planned on taking the boys out to dinner."
Laughter filled the room.
dinner on kev 😂 pic.twitter.com/KmU8fZZPKz
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 15, 2026
At the table in the front of the room sat McGonigle, Harris and general manager Jeff Greenberg. The back of the room was packed with Tigers players, along with manager A.J. Hinch and members of the coaching staff. Next to Skubal sat franchise legend Justin Verlander.
"Has that crossed your mind yet?" Skubal said.
"It definitely has," McGonigle said. "I'm sure I can take care of it."
In 2026, McGonigle is making $780,000 on the minimum salary, while Skubal is earning $32 million after winning a salary arbitration hearing as the reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner in his final season before free agency.
Soon enough, the first $8 million of McGonigle's $14 million signing bonus will hit his bank account.
Aside from the signing bonus, McGonigle is guaranteed to receive $136 million in base salaries throughout the duration of the eight-year contract extension, from 2027-34.
Now that it's locked in, where does McGonigle plan to take his teammates to dinner in Boston on Saturday or Sunday before leaving Beantown after Monday's four-game series finale at Fenway Park?
For that, McGonigle needs help from travel director Abe Silvestri.
"Abe is going to hook it up," McGonigle said.
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tarik Skubal asks Kevin McGonigle question at Tigers press conference