I don't think trading Skubal necessarily equals punting on 2026. They can take whatever money they have allocated for Skubal to acquire upgrades elsewhere, in addition to what they receive in the trade. It's entirely possible that they could improve other positions enough to either match or improve on 2025.
My first wish is for the Tigers to lock Skubal down long-term this off-season, but if he's dead-set on being a FA, I don't want to lose him for nothing.