ORLANDO, Fla. — The question keeps coming up. So why doesn’t Detroit Tigers president Scott Harris say something more definitive about the future of ace lefty and back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal?
Perhaps something like: Of course we’re not going to trade him. Are you crazy?
Harris addressed that premise in so many words Monday at the MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando.
“One, we don’t speculate on any players on our roster in trade talks. It’s not productive, and it’s unfair to the players and the teams,” he said. “And two, I’ve been pretty clear since I’ve been here, I don’t believe in untouchables at any level. Anyone in our organization.
“It’s not a commentary on Tarik specifically. It’s more of a blanket team-building approach. I can’t do my job without listening. I can’t do my job without exploring anything that may or may not have legs. Some are going to be very likely moves and some are going to be extremely unlikely, but you can’t fully vet those opportunities unless you’re willing to listen. So that’s how we’re doing it.”
Skubal, 29, went 13-6 with an AL-best 2.21 ERA in 2025, striking out a career-high 241 batters in 195 1/3 innings. He then added three dominant playoff starts in October.
He’s entering his final year of team control, and the unlikelihood of him signing with an extension with the Tigers before reaching free agency has invited trade speculation. A lot of it.
So give Harris credit for honesty: He is, in fact, listening when teams call.
But the odds of a deal remain very slim.