Tarik Skubal commerce affords: Scott Harris ‘listening,’ no untouchables

[ad_1] ORLANDO, FL — Tarik Skubal is the speak of the Winter Conferences.

The reigning back-to-back American League Cy Younger winner is about to grow to be a free agent after the 2026 season. The 29-year-old left-hander tasks to grow to be the primary pitcher in MLB historical past to obtain a $400 million contract as soon as he reaches free company.

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Will the Detroit Tigers commerce Skubal within the 2025-26 offseason?

"I am unable to do my job with out listening," Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris mentioned Monday, Dec. 8, on the Winter Conferences. "I am unable to do my job with out exploring something which will or might not have legs. Some are going to be very probably strikes, and a few are going to be extraordinarily unlikely, however you'll be able to't really absolutely vet these alternatives until you are keen to pay attention."

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The Tigers aren't actively procuring Skubal, however Harris is listening to commerce affords for the perfect pitcher in baseball. The refusal to decide to Skubal as a Tiger for 2026 is simply fueling the commerce hypothesis. For a commerce to occur, the Tigers would wish to obtain a suggestion they can not refuse.

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That makes a Skubal commerce unlikely.

However the Tigers aren't shutting down commerce rumors.

"One, we do not speculate on any gamers on our roster in commerce talks," Harris mentioned. "It isn't productive, and it is unfair to the gamers and the groups. Two, I have been fairly clear since I have been right here: I do not imagine in untouchables on any degree, so like anybody in our group. It isn't a commentary on Tarik particularly. It is type of a blanket team-building method."

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Skubal desires to say in Detroit.

"It is all out of my management," Skubal mentioned Nov. 20 on the "Foul Territory" present. "As a participant, you do not actually – effectively, until you need to be traded, however that is a complete completely different state of affairs. It isn't like I need to be traded, so why am I in these conversations to start with?"

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In 2025, Skubal – a two-time All-Star in his six-year MLB profession – registered a 2.21 ERA with 33 walks and 241 strikeouts throughout 195⅓ innings in 31 begins. He owns a 2.39 ERA in 77 begins over the previous three seasons, main the AL in ERA in each 2024 and 2025.

Here is the right method to quantify his worth: Over 2024-25, the Tigers posted a 42-20 document in 62 video games began by Skubal, however solely a 131-131 document within the video games not began by him.

The Tigers want Skubal to win in 2026.

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And but, they're entertaining commerce affords on the Winter Conferences.

"I do not know if that is useful for you guys," Harris mentioned, "however I figured I would provide you with at the least some logic behind why we're taking this method. Does that make sense?"

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or comply with him @EvanPetzold.

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