The Detroit Tigers have stumbled through a rough stretch, dropping 14 of their last 16 outings and slipping to a 20‑31 record that leaves them well outside the playoff picture.
At the center of the conversation is right‑hander Tarik Skubal, who is nearing a return from elbow surgery that has kept him sidelined since early in the season.
Skubal's contract situation adds urgency
Skubal is set to become a free agent after the current campaign, and his pedigree — two consecutive American League Cy Young awards — makes him an attractive piece for any contender looking to bolster its rotation.
The Tigers' front office has been mum, but insiders suggest that the club may be forced to consider moving the ace if the losing streak persists into the summer.
Veteran baseball insiders Jon Heyman and Ken Rosenthal have both noted that a trade could materialize before the 2026 deadline, especially if a suitor is willing to part with top prospects.
Among the teams rumored to be interested are the New York Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Angels, each of which could leverage a deep farm system to land a pitcher who could shift the balance in a World Series chase.
The potential move also raises questions about the broader market for elite arms, with names like Shohei Ohtani still dominating headlines and shaping how clubs prioritize their trade strategies.
For Detroit, the decision will hinge on whether a package of prospects can truly rebuild the system fast enough to offset the loss of a frontline starter.
As the season progresses, the Tigers' performance will be measured not just by wins and losses but by the market value they can extract from Skubal's impending free agency.