Start creating those photoshopped images of Tarik Skubal in other teams’ jerseys.
The two-time and consecutive AL Cy Young winner will “likely” be traded, according to an ESPN article detailing key points from the just completed winter meetings in Orlando.
The Post’s Jon Heyman reported that others believe the 29-year-old Skubal will be traded with one year left on his contract before attempting to sign what is likely the richest pitching contract in MLB history.
There was uncertainty earlier this season about whether the Tigers would actually listen to Skubal, but it appears the tone has changed, especially in light of Detroit top baseball manager Scott Harris’ comments during the Orlando meetings.
“I don’t believe in untouchable players at any level,” Harris told MLB Network on Monday. according to ESPN. “It’s not a commentary on Tarik; it’s more of a general approach to building a winning organization. My job is to make this organization better… which means I have to listen to every opportunity, no matter how likely or unlikely it is to actually arise. I have to listen because as an organization we have to get better, so that’s our approach.
“We haven’t figured it all out yet, but it has led to a lot of success in a very short time. And I can stand here and credibly say that we have both a bright present and a bright future, and this approach has led to that.”
The Tigers are seemingly hinting that they could move Skubal as they risk losing him this offseason for just draft pick compensation.
Heyman previously reported that the sides had a gap of about $250 million, which would require a huge change in Detroit’s approach if Detroit wants to keep him.
While Detroit has occasionally shown it can be a player for top free agents, there wouldn’t be such a gap if the Tigers wanted to be competitive with the likes of the Mets, Dodgers or Yankees next winter.
The wise move, then, would be to trade Skubal now, because it’s easy to predict that Detroit would receive more in a trade than the picks it would net after rejecting the qualifying offer.
The Mets thought they were a team that could make a strong offer for Skubal, although it seems like the Dodgers are going to everyone these days.
It’s fair to assume that the teams that would have the most interest would be the ones with the ability to extend Skubal, who may be looking to surpass Yoshinobu Yamomoto’s record of $325 million for non-two-way pitchers.
Skubal would immediately raise any team’s ceiling after posting a 2.30 ERA over the past two years with a 31-10 ERA across 62 starts.
He struck out 469 batters in 387 1/3 innings.
“I cannot and will not speculate on trades for our own players,” Harris told MLB Network, per ESPN. “Like, it’s just not fair to the players. It’s not fair to the other teams. And the second thing is that there are 25 other guys in our locker room – twenty-five guys who are working their butts off to play on the field, and it’s going to take all of us to actually get to the postseason. It’s not a commentary on Tarik. It’s the organizational ethos that we have. It’s going to take all of us, it’s going to take every little bit.” thing, to get to the postseason.
“Listen, Tarik is a Tiger now. We’re very happy that he’s a Tiger. … He’s a big part of what we do now.”
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