Tarik Skubal Draws Trade Interest After 15-Day Elbow Recovery as Tigers Drop 14 of 16
Updated
Updated · FanSided · May 22
Tarik Skubal Draws Trade Interest After 15-Day Elbow Recovery as Tigers Drop 14 of 16
7 articles · Updated · FanSided · May 22
15 days after elbow surgery, Tarik Skubal threw a multi-inning bullpen session and said he hit his target velocity, a key step as clubs gauge whether he can return before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Detroit's 20-31 record and 14 losses in 16 games have intensified the possibility of a blockbuster, with rival executives saying the Tigers' willingness to sell will hinge on both their standings and Skubal's health.
Rival evaluators said a deal could start with one top-50 or top-100 prospect plus additional pieces, though Skubal's status as a two-month rental and roughly $12 million-$14 million in remaining salary could limit bidders unless Detroit pays some down.
When healthy, the 29-year-old left-hander is one of baseball's most valuable arms, with back-to-back Cy Young Awards and a 2.70 ERA in seven starts this season, making him a potential market-defining trade chip if he proves fully recovered.
Will Tarik Skubal's groundbreaking surgery make him a playoff hero or a contender's biggest gamble?
With a record contract looming, what is the true trade price for two months of a Cy Young winner?
As their ace pitcher recovers at record speed, are the Tigers about to make a franchise-altering mistake?