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Tigers eye Tarik Skubal trade before Aug. 3 deadline

7/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Analyst Mike Axisa expects the Detroit Tigers to trade pitcher Tarik Skubal before the Aug. 3 deadline.
Because he becomes a free agent after 2026, teams view him as a rental and see the Cubs, who are “all-in,” offering Matt Shaw, Wiggins and Ayers.
The Tigers, 50-54 and 3.5 games back in the AL Wild Card race, could trade Skubal for young players rather than lose him for a draft pick.

History

Historical Context

On July 31 1997 the Chicago White Sox, just 3.5 games behind the Cleveland Indians, traded three veteran pitchers to the San Francisco Giants for six prospects—a move dubbed the “White Flag Trade.” That precedent of renting veterans for future assets now informs analyst Mike Axisa’s warning that Detroit could similarly move pitcher Tarik Skubal in a potential deadline deal.

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Story summary

Analyst Mike Axisa expects the Detroit Tigers to trade pitcher Tarik Skubal before the Aug. 3 deadline.
Because he becomes a free agent after 2026, teams view him as a rental and see the Cubs, who are “all-in,” offering Matt Shaw, Wiggins and Ayers.
The Tigers, 50-54 and 3.5 games back in the AL Wild Card race, could trade Skubal for young players rather than lose him for a draft pick.

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