Is Detroit Tigers superstar Tarik Skubal trying to force a trade to teams like the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers? A top MLB insider suggests it can’t be completely ruled out.
The reigning American League Cy Young has been a source of headlines for much of the offseason. After winning the award for a second straight season, he has a case to be considered the best pitcher on the planet. With this being the final year of his contract, he is expected to get a massive deal after the season, but it won’t be from the Tigers.
- Tarik Skubal stats: 13-6 record, 2.21 ERA, 0.891 WHIP, 241 SO, 33 BB, 195.1 IP
While Detroit would love to have him lead their rotation for the next decade, the 29-year-old is expected to set a new contract record for pitchers next winter. He will get a number his current team won’t be able to match, which is why he has been linked to a lot of trade speculation this offseason. Last week, the growing divide between the pitcher and club seemed to grow further.
Previous reports suggest the Tigers made an extension offer last year that fell well below what he and his representation are gunning for. That happened again recently — but for a different reason — when the star pitcher asked for a record $32 million in arbitration. Detroit’s offer? It was far lower at $19 million.
Could Tigers-Tarik Skubal Arbitration Dispute Force a Trade Soon?
The latest divide has stirred up new trade speculation, from The Athletic’s MLB insider Ken Rosenthal. During a new appearance on the Foul Territory Show, he suggested that if Detroit is forced to pay Skubal $32 million next season, it could potentially make them more seriously consider trading him before opening day.
However, he also threw out the idea that maybe the pitcher’s huge ask in arbitration wasn’t just about being paired fairly after a pair of Cy Young seasons. He actually suggested maybe the number was strategic to potentially force a trade because his team knows Detroit does not want to pay that amount in 2026.
Either scenario is fantastic news for the NY Mets and LA Dodgers. They are the two teams most linked to a potential blockbuster trade for the ace. The pair of National League clubs have two of the best farm systems in MLB and can make the strongest offers if the Tigers started taking them.
Over the last few weeks, it looked like a trade would not come until before the deadline this summer. However, this latest report kicks open the door for a trade to the NY Mets or LA Dodgers still happening before the season.
