The Detroit Tigers may still be listening to offers for Tarik Skubal, but don’t expect a deal to happen unless a team is willing to pay an enormous price.
According to a report from The Athletic, one National League executive described Detroit’s early asking price for the reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner as “outrageous.” Whether that’s negotiating strategy or a sign the Tigers aren’t eager to move their ace, one thing is clear: acquiring Skubal won’t come cheap.
Detroit Holds All The Leverage In Tarik Skubal Talks
The Tigers have no reason to rush into a trade. While Detroit entered the season expecting to contend, the club remains within striking distance of both the AL Central and a Wild Card spot. That gives the front office every reason to wait and see how the next several weeks unfold before making a franchise-altering decision.
If another team wants Skubal before the Aug. 3 trade deadline, they’ll have to meet Detroit’s price, not the other way around.
Skubal Is Worth A Massive Return
It’s easy to understand why the Tigers are asking for the moon. Even after missing more than a month with an elbow injury, Skubal has continued to pitch like one of baseball’s elite starters. Over the past three seasons, he’s established himself as arguably the best left-handed pitcher in the game while capturing back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards.
Pitchers with that résumé almost never become available. If a contender believes Skubal is the missing piece to a World Series run, Detroit is going to demand multiple top prospects and major league-ready talent in return.
History Suggests Teams Will Be Careful
The anonymous executive also referenced the Cubs’ aggressive trade for Aroldis Chapman in 2016, noting that today’s front offices are much less willing to empty their farm systems. That’s likely true.
With so many teams prioritizing long-term sustainability, few organizations are eager to mortgage their future for a rental player, even one as dominant as Skubal. That could make finding common ground much more difficult as the deadline approaches.
The Price Could Change As The Deadline Nears
Just because Detroit’s asking price is reportedly sky-high today doesn’t mean it will stay that way.
If the Tigers fall further out of the playoff race over the next month, they may become more willing to negotiate. On the other hand, if they continue climbing the standings, keeping Skubal for a postseason push could become the preferred option.
Either way, Detroit has made one thing clear.
If a team wants Tarik Skubal this summer, it better be prepared to make an offer that feels uncomfortable. That’s exactly the position the Tigers wanted to be in when trade season began.
