MLB Trade Rumors: New Frontrunner Named To Acquire Tarik Skubal
Tarik Skubal had a bit of a rocky return to the mound in his first three starts coming back from minor elbow surgery. But his last outing against the New York Yankees proved that the two-time defending Cy Young winner is, indeed, back. He one-hit the Yanks over six innings, allowing one earned run and striking out nine against zero walks.
Not that trade talk wouldn't be heating up for Skubal anyway, but this only ramps up the urgency.
With the usual big-name teams being mentioned as potential destinations like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, insider Bob Nightengale tells us that the frontrunner is the Atlanta Braves.
Prediction: Skubal will go, with Atlanta being the favorite according to rival executives, but this decision likely will go down to the final days, if not hours, before the deadline.
August 3rd at 6pm ET is the final bell.
The Braves' starting rotation has been riddled with injuries all season, yet still hold down first place in the NL East. But with the team struggling of late, the Philadelphia Phillies have come to within 2.5 games of them. For the Braves to truly be a serious contender in the postseason, they will need to add an elite starter to the mix, and there's no better candidate out there than Skubal.
We know that GM Alex Anthopoulos doesn't fool around, and the team is prepared to spend money when necessary to build another winner.
Skubal's days in Detroit coming to an end, Braves labeled as frontrunner to land him
To hear that the Tigers' decision "will go down to the final days, if not hours, before the deadline," is shocking, to be honest.
The Tigers are sitting at 38-50, 7.0 games back of a Wild Card spot in the weak American League playoff chase. There are six other teams ahead of them as well.
It's clear that they are not a serious contender this season. And it's just as clear that Skubal will not be re-signing in Detroit, as the Tigers will not be able to afford the $400 million or so asking price on a long-term deal in free agency. They even had trouble agreeing to pay him his worth this season, and ended up losing an arbitration battle, with the settlement awarded to Skubal's camp at $32M, compared to the $19M the Tigers were offering.
It would be a travesty for the organization if they hold on to him past the deadline and lose him for nothing in free agency. They could bring in a massive haul by trading him.
