Tarik Skubal Rumors Ramp Up After Tigers Scratch Casey Mize From Start For Trade Purposes

If Casey Mize is being traded by the Detroit Tigers, then surely Tarik Skubal is as well. That's the word from baseball insiders around the sport after the team announced that Mize was scratched from his Friday night start. 

Casey Mize was scratched from his start tonight, another indication Skubal Watch is heating up. Mize is now scheduled for after the deadline, but full Tigers sale, including Mize, may be on!

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2026

Insider Jon Heyman appeared on NHL Network and talked about Mize, Skubal, and other Detroit Tigers who could be on the move. 

The Mize scratch and potential trade is “the clearest sign yet” that Skubal will likely be moved, said Heyman. Going with a bullpen game when you have a pitcher like Mize available (2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP), is certainly an indication that a team is no longer in the mode of 'going for it', which is a sign, as Heyman says, that Skubal will be moving on as well.

Which teams are the frontrunners to trade for Tarik Skubal?

"At this point it is extremely likely that Skubal will be traded somewhere... The Dodgers have the most to offer, certainly they are in the driver's seat." As much as wanting him for themselves, LA would also love to keep the two-time Cy Young winner away from their chief competitors in the NL, including the Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. 

Heyman also noted that second baseman Gleyber Torres and reliever Kyle Finnegan would be prime trade candidates on the Tigers as well. 

Finnegan can finish games, and has a 2.93 ERA as a high-leverage reliever, while Torres has a career-high .383 on-base pct., and a .775 OPS even while his power has dipped this season.