baseball

Two reasons Detroit Tigers could survive Tarik Skubal trade

Yahoo Sports

If the Detroit Tigers end up trading ace Tarik Skubal, two veterans could help the MLB team remain contenders.

Two reasons Detroit Tigers could survive Tarik Skubal trade originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Detroit Tigers fans may have trouble digesting reality, but for long-term franchise stability, president of baseball operations Scott Harris may trade Tarik Skubal before the MLB trade deadline.

A popular pick to claim the AL Central pennant, the Tigers remain poised to start 2026 with one of the league’s top rotations, headlined by the back-to-back Cy Young award recipient. Any proposed deal for Skubal, who earned a one-year, $32 million arbitration ruling in February, could produce a bounty of top-end prospects for an already highly rated farm system. But to re-sign the Scott Boras client, the Tigers may have to agree to establish one of the most expensive player contracts in league history.

Skubal reportedly seeks a $450 million deal . Should the Tigers invest that much in a Hall of Fame-trending talent? Harris has until Aug.

3 to decide. If the Tigers execute a mid-season blockbuster, despite their World Series aspirations, two recent roster additions, Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander, could help them remain contenders: Detroit Tigers counting on Framber Valdez Valdez's free-agent signing was intended to provide the Tigers’ staff with a second left-handed ace. If Skubel ends up getting moved, the rotation will maintain one of the league's top lefties.