The Tampa Bay Rays are being sized up as one of the most aggressive teams ahead of the MLB trade deadline, and the name at the center of the buzz is a big one: Tarik Skubal.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post has predicted that if the Detroit Tigers decide to move their ace, the Rays would be the team to land him. It’s the kind of swing that fits Tampa Bay’s current moment. They own the best record in the American League, and with a roster that still has room for upgrades, they have every reason to chase a move that could strengthen a World Series push.
A deal for Skubal would be a major addition to a rotation that already includes two All-Stars in Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez, along with Shane McClanahan. That group would instantly look deeper and more dangerous in a postseason setting. Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour, both of whom have shifted from the bullpen to the starting rotation during the season, could then slide into bulk roles or help shore up a relief unit that could use reinforcements.
For Tampa Bay, it would be a rare all-in move on a rental, but the logic is clear enough: when a championship window opens, you don’t wait around. The Rays may not get many chances like this, and with the American League looking the way it does, the timing feels right for them to press.
This wouldn’t be the first time Tampa Bay has aimed high. When Shohei Ohtani was in the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Angels, the Rays offered Caminero and shortstop prospect Carson Williams in a bid to land him. They also made free-agent pushes for Freddie Freeman and Aaron Judge, who ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Yankees, respectively.
If Detroit does put Skubal on the market, Tampa Bay would have a strong case to make. The left-hander appears to be back on track after the elbow procedure he underwent this season, and his latest start showed the same overpowering stuff. He struck out 12 Kansas City Royals batters in a 2-1 Tigers win, and before that he posted a season-high 11 strikeouts.
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