The Detroit Tigers are unlikely to trade their ace starting pitcher, Tarik Skubal, before the MLB trade deadline on July 30, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez.
Despite interest from teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Tigers are expected to hold onto Skubal, who is under team control for another 2.5 years. Gonzalez’s report comes after Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci highlighted the Dodgers’ interest in Skubal, but a source indicated that while a trade is not out of the question, it is considered improbable.
Skubal, a 27-year-old left-handed pitcher, is having a standout season, marked by his first All-Star selection. With a 10-3 record, 2.41 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 140 strikeouts over 116 innings, he is also a strong contender for the American League Cy Young Award.
After recovering from flexor tendon surgery that sidelined him for the first half of the 2023 season, Skubal has continued to perform at a high level, further solidifying his value to the Tigers.
The Tigers were initially viewed as potential contenders for the AL Central in the 2024 season. However, their performance has fallen short of expectations, with a current record of 48-50, placing them fourth in the division and 12 games behind the Cleveland Guardians.
Despite this, they remain in the playoff hunt, trailing the Boston Red Sox by six games for the final wild-card spot, which complicates their decision on whether to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.
On the other hand, the Dodgers, who currently hold the second-best record in the National League and lead the NL West by seven games, are dealing with significant injury issues in their starting rotation.
Key pitchers such as Tyler Glasnow, Walker Buehler, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw, and Michael Grove are on the injured list, while Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Emmet Sheehan are out for the season. This situation has left the Dodgers relying on less experienced pitchers like Gavin Stone and James Paxton.
Given the Dodgers’ injury woes, acquiring Skubal would be a significant boost to their rotation. However, if a deal for Skubal cannot be struck, Gonzalez lists other potential trade targets for the Dodgers, including Jack Flaherty, Erick Fedde, Zach Eflin, and Yusei Kikuchi.
These options could help address the Dodgers’ rotation issues as they aim to maintain their lead in the NL West and contend for a World Series title.
