Jul 21, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) pitches during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Tigers are willing to trade just about anyone on the roster, per Ken Rosenthal. This includes ace Tarik Skubal.
Skubal is just about the Tigers only glimmer of hope so far this season, unless you count Miguel Cabrera reaching important career milestones.
Signed through 2026, it makes little sense for Detroit to trade a 25-year-old pitcher they’ve invested so much in, especially considering the other pitchers in their system are either injured (Casey Mize) or just unproven (Jackson Jobe, Matt Manning, etc.).
On the season, Skubal is 7-8 with a 3.88 ERA. He’s been far from perfect, but considering the rest of Detroit’s rotation is either injured or mysteriously missing and on leave, you’d think the Tigers would take it. If anything, Skubal should be on the front of next season’s program, not being mentioned in trade talks.
Alas, here we are.
On Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal reported that the Tigers are willing to trade anyone and everyone, which includes Skubal. He’d take quite a haul, and it’s important to note that Detroit general manager Al Avila is far more likely to deal the likes of Andrew Chafin, Michael Fulmer and even All-Star closer Gregory Soto.
MLB rumors: Which teams make the most sense for Tarik Skubal?
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals need pitching, and likely did not know that a player the caliber of Skubal was available…until now.
St. Louis is in the National League, and possesses the kind of prospect capital to land a player of Juan Soto’s caliber. While Skubal wouldn’t demand that much, it’s fair for Avila to want several top-100 prospects and/or MLB-ready players for a 25-year-old pitcher just now coming into his prime.
St. Louis is without Jack Flaherty for likely the rest of the season, and Steven Matz is out until the end of August, potentially. Adam Wainwright is carrying the rotation on his own, and at some point he will run out of gas.
Skubal changes everything for the Cards, should they be able to acquire him.