Despite a fairly disappointing and inconsistent first half of the season, the Detroit Tigers are still in the playoff picture.
A.J. Hinch’s team can still finish the season strong and sneak into the postseason, especially in one of the weakest divisions in baseball. The Tigers are just five games out of the AL Central lead and 3.5 games out of a wild-card spot.
That’s why some argue that they may not want to trade Tarik Skubal, as the two-time Cy Young winner gives them a legitimate chance to make the playoffs.
However, according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, multiple teams around the league believe the Tigers will still have no choice but to part ways with their ace.
Tigers could still trade Tarik Skubal
“Some rival GMs believe that even though the Detroit Tigers have climbed into the wild-card race, they will still trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, while trying to convince their players and fan base that they are not surrendering. ‘I really believe they want to move him,” one rival GM said. “If they didn’t, then why haven’t they shut down the rumors?’” Nightengale wrote.
Skubal is the most valuable trade chip in the league right now, even on an expiring deal.
The Tigers are already familiar with this approach, and it wouldn’t be the first time they’ve turned veteran hurlers into gold for the future while staying competitive.
“The Tigers could try to thread the needle moving Skubal, but get young starting pitching in return. The Tigers made the playoffs two years ago by doing the same, trading starter Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers for prospects Trey Sweeney and Thayron Liranzo, and still made the playoffs,” he added.
Regardless of what happens, Skubal will be the biggest fish in free agency, so the Tigers might regret not pulling the trigger when they could still get something in return.
