The Orioles and Dodgers are “engaged in discussions” with the Tigers regarding a trade for the All-Star left-hander. Tarik Skubal, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. This comes on the heels of a previous report from Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci, who suggested Baltimore and LA were interested in Skubal but did not confirm the Tigers were entertaining the Cy Young champion.
Both the Orioles and Dodgers have already made it clear that they want to add a starter before the July 30 trade deadline. Before the All-Star break, Orioles GM Mike Elias expressed interest in adding a starter with more years of club control. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have reportedly already made an offer to the White Sox Garrett Crochet, and ESPN's Alden Gonzalez suggests that adding a “front-of-the-rotation starter” remains a priority. Crochet is still their first goal, per Gonzalez, although Skubal will be more than a consolation prize.
Baltimore and LA have been two of the top teams in the league this season, but both clubs have been hit hard by injuries in their first rotations. The Orioles lost Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wellsagain John Kusho for the season. So, their rotation has a fair share of question marks after that Corbin Burns again Grayson Rodriguez. Meanwhile, the Dodgers currently have similar names Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehleragain Dustin May in IL. Glasnow and Kershaw are expected to return this week, but given their injury history, LA could use another quality arm in the playoffs. Skubal certainly fits the description.
While it's worth noting that the Tigers are involved in discussions about trading Skubal, baseball president Scott Harris may be acting on his own initiative. In other words, the fact that these parties are talking does not mean that Harris is seriously considering any offers. Indeed, several sources seem to think it's highly doubtful that Detroit will trade Skubal this offseason. According to Nightengale, Detroit will only move Skubal if the front office is “overwhelmed” by the offer. Gonzalez reports that sources familiar with the Tigers' thinking believe a trade is unlikely. Verducci's source gave similar details, adding that “everything has a price.” Apparently, the Dodgers and Orioles are trying to find a price that will convince Scott Harris to trade their best player.
The Yankees may also be trying to match that price, as Nightengale is reportedly willing to part with top prospects. Spencer Jones finding a small ace like Skubal or Crochet. Previously, Jones was thought to be untouchable, but the Yankees may be desperate for an upgrade. They went 10-20 in their last 30 games, falling out of first place in the AL East. Their first rotation has a league-worst 6.02 ERA during that time.
Jones, a towering, power-hitting outfielder, is widely considered a top-100 prospect in the game. It's easy to understand why the Yankees would be hesitant to trade him, but it's equally clear why the Tigers would command a prospect of that caliber in the pocket of a 27-year-old ace with two and a half years left in club control.
Skubal earned the final spot on MLBTR's list of top 50 trades at the deadline. His low level has nothing to do with his talent but shows how unlikely he is to be managed. Still, there's a good reason they're listed at all. Several contenders are sure to make a push to acquire Skubal, and if it's dealt with, it could be the biggest blockbuster of the summer.
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