The MLB trade deadline is less than a week away, and all signs point to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal being the biggest name available. After months of speculation, trade discussions involving the two-time AL Cy Young winner are reportedly about to heat up.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, multiple teams are expected to contact Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris to gauge the asking price for Skubal. While Detroit has been reluctant to move their star pitcher in the past, their current standing in the standings may force their hand.
At 50-57, the Tigers sit seven games under .500 and trail by six games in the AL Central. They're also four games back in the wild-card race with four teams ahead of them. As Rosenthal noted, some clubs believe Detroit might be willing to part with Skubal regardless of their position—if the price is right.
“That price is expected to be exorbitant, even though Skubal is eligible for free agency at the end of the season and amounts to merely a rental for the rest of 2026,” Rosenthal wrote.
Skubal has been nothing short of dominant since emerging as one of baseball's elite arms. In 2025, he posted a 2.21 ERA with a 13-6 record and 241 strikeouts. This season, he's been nearly as sharp, carrying a 2.70 ERA and a 7-5 mark. His track record makes him an enticing target for any contender looking to bolster its rotation for a deep playoff run.
Who's likely to come calling? Rosenthal listed the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, and Tampa Bay Rays as potential suitors. ESPN's Jeff Passan added that the Brewers have enough farm system depth to get a deal done, which could create a tantalizing one-two punch alongside Jacob Misiorowski.
The Dodgers and Yankees are perennial bidders for top talent, while the Braves and Rays are known for creative trades. The Brewers, in particular, could be an intriguing fit given their need for an ace to anchor the rotation.
This isn't the first time Skubal's name has surfaced in trade rumors. The lefty has been discussed since the start of the 2026 season, but with the deadline now just days away, the chatter is turning into action. For Tigers fans, seeing their franchise pitcher dealt would be a gut punch, but for the front office, it might be the best path to rebuilding a roster that has underperformed.
Elsewhere in the sports world, the Shanahan car crash controversy continues to make headlines, while SEC reporter Alyssa Lang's response to body shamers has gone viral. Meanwhile, Bronny James staying put after LeBron's move to the Sixers shows the NBA landscape is shifting too.
The MLB trade deadline is set for Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET, so expect the Skubal sweepstakes to intensify in the coming days. Whether he ends up in a Dodgers uniform, a Yankees pinstripe, or somewhere else entirely, one thing is certain: the Tigers are ready to listen.
