Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Pretty much the entire league has its eyes set on the Detroit Tigers to see what they will do with ace starting pitcher Tarik Skubal. Skubal has established himself as one of, if not the, best pitchers in all of baseball over the last few years.
One would think that the Tigers would pay whatever it takes to keep him around, but it seems that the team may be looking to trade him. Detroit isn’t likely to give him the type of contract that would see him stay with the Tigers, and a trade may be the only way for the franchise to not lose him for nothing in free agency.
Skubal is entering the final year of his deal, and it seems that Detroit may look to trade him this winter. Despite the team coming within a game of the American League Championship Series this year, the rumor of a Skubal trade has been heavily discussed.
This past season, Skubal continued his domination against opponents, helping the Tigers find a lot of success on the field. In 31 starts for Detroit, Skubal posted an ERA of 2.21, while striking out 241 batters over 195.1 innings of work.
Detroit would likely regret trading him, but that seems to be the way things are heading. However, how this all goes down remains to be seen, with every other team watching them closely.
This is just a prediction, NOT a report!
More MLB Content From TWSN:
No, The Los Angeles Dodgers Aren’t Ruining Baseball
The Dream Free Agent Signing For Every MLB Team
Top 5 World Series Game 7s of All Time
Tarik Skubal Traded to San Francisco Giants
The idea of the Tigers trading Skubal has grown louder in recent weeks, especially considering many around the sport don’t believe he will stay in Detroit. The Tigers have shown no willingness to prepare an offer for Skubal that would be fair for him to remain with the team, and it could see them look to move him.
If he is made available on the trade front, there would be no shortage of interested teams trying to land him. The Tigers could likely net a heavy trade return, and it could set them up well for the future.
One team that would likely be at the front of the pack to land him is the San Francisco Giants. Entering the offseason, the Giants have a major need for starting pitching help, and it seems to be a priority for them to address.
If they could add Skubal to the mix, it could drastically help this pitching staff, and they would have an ace for years to come. San Francisco would also likely be willing to sign Skubal to the type of contract that he wants, and it could be a perfect landing spot for him.
Skubal is from the Bay Area, also, so this would be a homecoming for him. The Giants also have prospects that would likely entice the Tigers to make a trade with them, further helping the case of team to land him.
Giants president of baseball operations, Buster Posey, has discussed the need for pitching this winter, and adding arguably the best in the game would be a game-changing move. San Francisco is looking to compete against the other elite teams in the National League West, and this type of trade would certainly push them more toward contention for a World Series.