The Detroit Tigers yet again figure to be at the center of the trade deadline this year due to their surprising struggles and widespread interest in Tarik Skubal.
The left-handed ace is in the final year of team control and remains on track to become a free agent after the 2025 season. Multiple reports have indicated the Tigers don’t believe they have the financial might to sign Skubal to what may be a record-setting contract for a starting pitcher.
Despite that uncertainty, the Tigers reportedly are informing interested teams that a Skubal trade is not something they are considering at this time, per Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY.
The Detroit Tigers, easily the American League’s biggest bust at 26-38, are telling teams that two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is off limits for now, and after winning four consecutive games against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners, they may even decide to keep him in hopes of a miraculous comeback.
Just one week ago there was said to be a growing sentiment around the league that the Tigers would ultimately trade Skubal before the deadline on Aug. 3. Given nearly two months remain until the 2026 trade deadline, it’s plausible Detroit is waiting to see if they can gain any traction upon Skubal’s impending return.
Their four-game winning streak was snapped on Saturday, but it’s possible their ace will come off the injured list in the next week or so. Skubal is making a rehab start for High-A West Michigan on Sunday, one month removed from having surgery for a loose body in his throwing elbow.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and completed with the NanoNeedle Scope 2.0. That made for a less invasive operation and has allowed for a quicker recovery process.
Would the Dodgers trade for Tarik Skubal?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are among the teams that previously have been connected to a potential Skubal trade, and manager Dave Roberts recently acknowledged they have the necessary prospects to pull off the blockbuster this year.
The Dodgers don’t appear to have a glaring need for Skubal, but if healthy, he certainly would help fortify a rotation that remains without Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. Snell had surgery in May to remove loose bodies from his left elbow and Glasnow was transferred to the 60-day injured list amid a slower-than-expected recovery from back trouble.
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