The Detroit Tigers (87–75) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (82–80) both enter the 2026 offseason with clear objectives, but for very different reasons. Detroit is coming off a promising playoff season but showed major offensive shortcomings down the stretch.
Arizona needs a true ace to stabilize the top of its rotation as it attempts to return to its 2023 World Series form. As a back-to-back Cy Young winner and the undisputed top pitcher in the AL, Skubal is the kind of acquisition that shifts competitive windows and elevates a team from fringe playoff contender to World Series threat.
These make up a major blockbuster trade proposal, involving Tigers superstar Tarik Skubal and Diamondbacks All-Star Ketel Marte, along with young talents like Jordan Lawlar and Ryan Nelson.
This is just a prediction, NOT a report!
More MLB Content From TWSN
The Dream Free Agent Signing For Every MLB Team
Predictions for MLB’s Top 10 Free Agents Still Available
The San Diego Padres Are Set Up For Failure in 2026
Tarik Skubal Traded to Arizona Diamondbacks
For Detroit, the equation is simple: this offense must improve. The Tigers’ bats went cold late in 2025, and the lineup lacked a true middle-order presence capable of consistently lifting the team when run production dried up.
Ketel Marte is precisely the type of bat who can change that dynamic. A switch-hitter with power, elite bat-to-ball skills, and positional flexibility, Marte would immediately become the Tigers’ best all-around offensive player. Adding a premium shortstop prospect like Lawlar and a live-arm starter like Nelson would further deepen Detroit’s young core while helping them build a more sustainable roster around their hitters.
But the biggest question is why Detroit would consider moving Tarik Skubal at all, especially when he’s become the face of the franchise and the best pitcher in the American League. The answer lies in his contract situation.
Skubal is entering free agency after the upcoming season, and he is expected to command an enormous deal—potentially $40 million per year. With the left-hander already 29 years old, the Tigers must weigh whether investing that type of long-term megadeal is the right strategic move for a still-developing roster.
Compared to younger pitchers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Skubal may ultimately be a slightly lower-risk investment, but the total financial commitment will still be massive. If Detroit believes it cannot realistically match what Skubal will receive on the open market, trading him now—at the absolute height of his value—becomes a logical, even necessary, consideration.
From Arizona’s perspective, this type of trade would be franchise-altering. The Diamondbacks have searched for a true No. 1 starter since their 2023 postseason run, and Skubal would immediately become the centerpiece of their pitching staff.
Ultimately, this deal is about timing, opportunity, and roster optimization. Detroit needs bats and long-term sustainability; Arizona needs pitching dominance and a postseason anchor. Both teams have the pieces to meet each other’s needs, creating a realistic framework for one of the biggest trades baseball could see in 2026.
Ketel Marte 2025 Stats:
Marte posted a strong 2025 campaign highlighted by his power, on-base production, and consistent ability to drive in runs in the heart of Arizona’s lineup.
Ketel Marte delivered a strong 2025 season, hitting .287 with 26 home runs, 84 RBIs, and an .848 OPS, while remaining one of the most consistent switch-hitters in the league. He also added 38 doubles and a 5.1 WAR
Tarik Skubal Stats
Skubal finished 2025 as the American League’s premier pitcher, winning his second straight Cy Young Award and leading the league in multiple major categories while cementing his status as the best ace in the AL.
Tarik Skubal dominated the 2025 season with a 2.63 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 245 strikeouts across 193 innings.
Other Tarik Skubal Landing Spots
Chicago Cubs
New York Mets
Minnesota Twins