The Detroit Tigers are suddenly sitting at the center of the MLB offseason conversation-and it's not just because spring training is around the corner. The buzz is all about Tarik Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, and whether the Tigers are actually willing to entertain trade talks for their ace left-hander.
Now, let’s be clear: moving a pitcher like Skubal isn’t something any team takes lightly. He’s not just a frontline starter-he’s the guy.
A two-time Cy Young winner with elite stuff, a bulldog mentality on the mound, and the kind of presence that can anchor a rotation for years. So it’s no surprise that just about every contender is keeping tabs on Detroit’s next move.
What’s changed recently is the tone around his future. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, there’s been a noticeable uptick in trade activity involving Skubal, and it seems to be tied to an ongoing arbitration standoff.
The Tigers filed at $19 million. Skubal came in at $32 million.
That’s a $13 million gap-massive in arbitration terms-and it’s added fuel to the fire that Detroit might actually listen to serious offers.
Olney noted on a recent podcast appearance that he’s “heard around the edges” that teams are circling back on Skubal, sensing a potential opening due to the contract dispute. And while that doesn’t mean a deal is imminent, it does suggest the Tigers are no longer shutting down conversations before they start.
Let’s not forget, there was always a chance Skubal could be moved this winter. Early in the offseason, his name floated in a few rumors, but things quieted down. Now, with the arbitration drama playing out publicly, the trade talk has picked up steam again-and this time, it feels a bit more real.
That said, Detroit holds all the cards here. They’re under no obligation to deal Skubal, and if they believe they’re ready to contend in 2026, keeping their ace makes plenty of sense.
But the fact that president of baseball operations Scott Harris hasn’t come out and shut down the speculation? That’s telling.
As Olney put it, Harris could end the chatter at any time-he just hasn’t.
So what happens next? Well, if the Tigers do decide to explore a trade, they won’t be short on suitors.
The Dodgers are an obvious fit-deep farm system, financial muscle, and a need for another high-end starter. But they’re far from the only team that would love to slot Skubal into the top of their rotation.
When a pitcher of this caliber is even potentially available, the phone lines light up.
For now, Detroit fans are left waiting to see if this is just noise-or the start of something bigger. But one thing’s for sure: Tarik Skubal’s name is going to stay in the headlines until the Tigers make a definitive move, one way or another.