This past week on foul territory (mlb one, not Tigers) one of the guys, think it was AJ Pierzinski, said he recently spoke with Chris Illitch and Illitch said he intends to try and keep Skubal. I don't think it's 100% a forgone conclusion that he is gone. 90%, sure. We don't know what Chris is thinking. Is there a part of him that wants to win for his father? He's probably about business and Skubal is gone. I still hold out 10% hope he stays. And I also think it's probably a bad business decision to pay him 400. Being a Tigers fan ain't a picnic.