While the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers were recently linked to a trade including American League Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal, two different league insiders shot down the idea this weekend.
Entering today’s MLB games, the Orioles and Dodgers lead their respective divisions and are considered serious title contenders this season. However, they will have stiff competition in the playoffs, and both front offices are likely to be active before the MLB trade deadline on July 30.
Every team may benefit from improvements in numerous areas, but the Orioles and Dodgers’ greatest need is in the starting rotation. Unsurprisingly, both franchises have been linked to several starting pitchers who could be available in the coming weeks, including Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet.
However, MLB Network league source Jon Morosi reported earlier this week that some in the game believe Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal could be available before this month’s trade deadline. He also indicated that the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers should be considered top All-Star hopefuls.
Tarik Skubal stats (2024): 10-3 Record, 2.37 ERA, 0.900 WHIP, 132 SO, 20 BB, 110.0 IP
Others around the league believe there is no prospect of any team acquiring Skubal in a trade before July 30. First, while responding to a fan request on X on Friday, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan dismissed the possibility of the Tigers star being traded.
“Tarik Skubal has been the best pitcher in baseball this year. He is the frontrunner to win the American League Cy Young award. “Any talk of him being traded is ridiculous,” Passan stated on X.
Two days later, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale chipped in with the statement, “Enough with the silly Tarik Skubal trade rumors.” “The Detroit Tigers will not trade him.”
Skubal has improved season by season since 2021, and this year he has emerged as the Tigers’ true ace. He’s already won 10 of the team’s 44 games and has a 2.37 ERA in 18 starts. There have been rumblings in recent days that fellow Detroit pitcher Jack Flaherty would be the most sought-after target on the board this month, and he appears more likely to be traded.