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Tigers Hold Onto Cy Young Pitcher Skubal Through Deadline

7/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Detroit Tigers will retain AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal through the Aug. 3 deadline, after he posted a 2.97 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 39.1 innings since June 13.
The Tigers, 25-15 since June and games from a wild-card spot, would trade Skubal only for a major-league-ready starter.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, linked to Skubal, could offer prospects and MLB-ready arms such as Justin Wrobleski, Emmet Sheehan and River Ryan.

History

Historical Context

After the 1994 players’ strike, MLB teams began issuing record contracts. In 1995 the Boston Red Sox signed pitcher Roger Clemens to a five-year deal, the league’s largest for a pitcher at that point. The signing followed a busy Red Sox free-agent spree that added veterans like Tim Wakefield and Zane Smith, signaling a new era of high-value, long-term extensions across the league.

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Story summary

The Detroit Tigers will retain AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal through the Aug. 3 deadline, after he posted a 2.97 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 39.1 innings since June 13.
The Tigers, 25-15 since June and games from a wild-card spot, would trade Skubal only for a major-league-ready starter.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, linked to Skubal, could offer prospects and MLB-ready arms such as Justin Wrobleski, Emmet Sheehan and River Ryan.

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