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Tigers Eye Trade of Cy Young Star Tarik Skubal.

7/16/2026

Summary

Tigers Trade Skubal

The Detroit Tigers plan to trade Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who makes up 15 % of Detroit’s $208 million payroll, before August 3 deadline.
Skubal’s July 15 stats are 5-5, 3.09 ERA, .95 WHIP, 75.2 innings, 11 walks, 89 strikeouts.
MLB.com lists the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros as interested.
Analysts deem New York Yankees, Detroit and Tampa Bay Rays three worst fantasy-value destinations for Skubal.

Summary

Preller Open-Minded

The trade deadline market is active, with buyers and sellers identified before Aug. 3.
Padres GM A.J. Preller said the club will be open-minded about acquiring or trading players.
Mariners president Jerry Dipoto is exploring buyer-to-buyer deals, a rare deadline approach.
Lance McCullers Jr. has full no-trade protection, while Red Sox catcher Willson Contreras waived his clause and wants to stay in Boston.

History

Historical Context

At the 2004 MLB trade deadline, the Boston Red Sox acquired pitcher Curt Schilling from the Arizona Diamondbacks for a $30 million contract. The deal shifted the Red Sox’s $120 million payroll by 5 % and helped them post a 3.00 ERA in the postseason. Similarly, Detroit’s 2024 pursuit of Tarik Skubal, a 15 % payroll component, mirrors the 2004 deadline’s focus on high-impact pitchers. These deadline maneuvers illustrate how teams leverage costly arms to reshape championship odds, prompting future front offices to prioritize flexible contracts.

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Tigers Trade Skubal

The Detroit Tigers plan to trade Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who makes up 15 % of Detroit’s $208 million payroll, before August 3 deadline.
Skubal’s July 15 stats are 5-5, 3.09 ERA, .95 WHIP, 75.2 innings, 11 walks, 89 strikeouts.
MLB.com lists the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros as interested.
Analysts deem New York Yankees, Detroit and Tampa Bay Rays three worst fantasy-value destinations for Skubal.

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