The Detroit Tigers have a problem most rebuilding teams would kill to have. They also have a problem that could set them back years if they get it wrong.
Tarik Skubal, the two-time Cy Young winner and arguably the best left-handed pitcher in baseball, is heading toward free agency after this season. The Tigers haven’t come close to an extension. And now the trade deadline is creeping up, forcing Detroit to answer a question that has rival executives split down the middle.
Should they trade him or not?
Skubal started the season on the injured list, and the Tigers stumbled out of the gate. They’re 35-49, sitting in fourth place in the AL Central. But here’s the weird part. They’re only 6.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. The American League is mediocre this year, and the path to October is wide open for anyone willing to chase it.
One exec says sell. Another says hold.
An anonymous National League executive told MLB.com the Tigers should absolutely move Skubal while his value is high.
“If it was me, I would sell,” the NL exec said. “Given that so many other teams are all in the hunt, I would guess the premium for buying will be high and sellers will get more than expected for quality talent.”
That’s the standard logic for a team that isn’t clearly contending. Trade the star, restock the farm system, and try again in a couple years. But another exec from the American League sees it differently.
“There’s so much baseball yet to play,” the AL executive said. “They are not dead. They have one of the better teams in the AL and definitely the most talented team in the AL Central.”
That last part might be a stretch considering the Guardians have 10 more wins. But the point is valid. The division is weak. The Tigers have pitching, some young hitters, and a guy in Skubal who looks like he’s rounding back into his ace form after a slow return from injury.
What the Tigers actually do matters for the whole league
If Detroit puts Skubal on the block, expect a bidding war. Contenders like the Dodgers, Braves, and Orioles would line up. The return would be massive — multiple top prospects and maybe a major league-ready piece or two. That could accelerate the Tigers’ rebuild in a hurry.
But if they keep him, they’re betting on a miracle run to the playoffs and a chance to convince Skubal to stay long-term. He’s 28 years old. A max contract this winter would probably land somewhere around $300 million. The Tigers have never paid anyone close to that.
Skubal hasn’t publicly pushed for a trade or demanded an extension. He just goes out and pitches. But the clock is ticking, and the front office has to pick a lane.
One thing is clear. However this plays out, it’s going to shape the Tigers for the next five years. Maybe longer.
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