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It is trade deadline season around Major League Baseball. It also means it is rumor season. With the deadline fast approaching, rumors are going to be increasing. Today, we are going to take a look at the biggest name on the trade market: Tarik Skubal. Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic have revealed what the Detroit Tigers’ asking price could be for the two-time Cy Young winner.
Asking Price For Skubal
The Ask
As expected, a trade for the California native would include multiple pieces. Rosenthal and Sammon, based on intel from “rival executives brief on the Tigers’ thinking,” will want a starting pitcher with team control plus prospects. Pitchers who fit that description include: Emmet Sheehan (Los Angeles Dodgers), Logan Henderson (Milwaukee Brewers), Ian Seymour (Tampa Bay Rays), Andrew Painter (Philadelphia Phillies), JR Ritchie (Atlanta Braves), AJ Smith-Shawver (Braves), Will Warren (New York Yankees), and Ryan Weathers (Yankees).
When it comes to prospects, the team trading for Skubal would obviously be moving a few of their top prospects. Who they are, of course, depends on the trading team.
Analysis of the Ask
Asking for a young pitcher with team control kills two birds with one stone. The Tigers would get an immediate replacement for Skubal, but they would also get someone who will be with the team for a while and can be a difference-maker right away. Instead of just waiting for prospects to develop, the team can see an immediate return on the trade.
Furthermore, adding any of the pitchers mentioned can keep the Tigers in the playoff hunt. There is talent all over the roster, so while moving on from their ace will drastically hurt their chances, they will not be at zero.
Overall, this is a reasonable asking price for the Tigers. They would get assets for Skubal instead of him leaving in free agency for just a compensation pick.
Is A Trade the Best Option?
The Tigers are underperforming this season. They are under .500, which would normally make trading their ace a definite thing. However, Rosenthal and Sammon note the American League does not have a clear frontrunner. First-place teams have question marks. The Tigers are five games out of a playoff spot, but if they could find a way to sneak in, they could go on a run to the World Series. To have a realistic chance at doing this, they need Skubal.
Rosenthal and Sammon agree that keeping Skubal, making a run, and settling for a compensation pick could be a better deal than trading him. Shortstop Kevin McGonigle was a compensation pick, and that is going well for the Tigers. If the Tigers were to reach the World Series, it would be well worth it.
Analysis
The question comes down to whether or not the Tigers have a legitimate shot at the World Series. It is hard to say because the whole league, not just the AL, has had surprises. Did anyone expect the Chicago White Sox to be in first place on July 22nd? Did anyone have the Pittsburgh Pirates in a playoff spot on their bingo card?
The Tigers are underperforming, but if there was a season where “just get in” felt like enough to be a contender, this would be that season. With Skubal, the Tigers could make a run. Without him, they could make the playoffs, but a World Series run seems unlikely (although it would match the theme of this season).
There is value in the compensation pick, and teams have certainly done well with it in the past. However, the package Skubal would warrant may be too good to pass up.
Thoughts On Listed Teams
The teams Rosenthal and Sammon are not the only ones who will be interested in the left-hander. However, this list does have some interesting teams.
Dodgers
The Dodgers have the second-best prospect pool in Major League Baseball. Of course, they do not need help winning another World Series. Skubal going to the Dodgers may cause fans to tear their hair out seeing another start join the team. However, if you are someone who appreciates dynasties, this would be intriguing to see.
However, do the Dodgers really need to trade for Skubal? They could hang on to their prospects or use them in another trade, then turn around and sign Skubal in the off-season. Of course, the possibility of a salary cap would change things, but it is still an interesting possibility.
Brewers
The Brewers have the best prospect pool in baseball. After multiple seasons of making the playoffs but falling short, including getting dominated in the National League Championship Series last season, this feels like a year the Brewers may go all in.
Acquiring Skubal would be similar to when the organization acquired CC Sabathia in 2008. The Brewers knew Sabathia would be a rental, yet they pulled the trigger, and Sabathia carried the “Brew Crew” right into the postseason behind an impressive second half.
The same could happen this season with Skubal. However, the 2026 Brewers are in a much better spot than the 2008 Brewers, so acquiring Skubal would put the team right in the thick of the World Series conversation.
Rays
The Rays contend without spending a great deal of money or trading big-name players. Could this season be different? The Rays were essentially an afterthought heading into the season. People figured they would compete and maybe contend for the Wild Card. The best record in baseball on June 22nd? Who saw that coming?
If there was a year the Rays went against their usual business and pulled the trigger on a big trade, this is the year. Skubal is that player. When the team went to the World Series in 2008 and 2020, they had a bona fide ace on their team. Skubal could get them back to the Fall Classic, and possibly help them win the whole thing at last.
The Last Word
The days between now and the trade deadline will be interesting. Be sure to check back with Last Word On Baseball for more rumors, coverage, and news as trade season heats up.
Main Photo: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
