Will Tigers Pony up for Skubal

[casimir]

On 11/24/2025 at 6:36 PM, chasfh said:

Meaning you think I’m right, or full of beans?

Both dark and light red kidney beans.

[RatkoVarda]

did not realize Skubal was part of 8 man union committee

Who are the primary names fans should know on both sides of the negotiations?
For the players: Deputy executive director Bruce Meyer is the lead negotiator, Clark the ultimate authority. There is a 38-member executive board of players, made up of eight elected, high-ranking subcommittee members (Cy Young winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, plus veterans Chris Bassitt, Jake Cronenworth, Pete Fairbanks, Cedric Mullins, Marcus Semien and Brent Suter) and one representative from each team -- the delegates for the rank-and-file.

[AlaskanTigersFan]

Quote

The Tigers trade Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers for starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Emmet Sheehan and outfielder Zyhir Hope

The Dodgers’ rotation goes from special to legendary with the addition of Skubal and his back-to-back Cy Young Awards. The Tigers say goodbye to their ace but add another top-of-the-rotation arm who is signed for three seasons, a young starter they can slide right into the rotation and a high ceiling prospect who eventually could form a dynamic outfield with Riley Greene and Max Clark.

Jim Bowden proposed this. I'd take that deal. Pray Glasnow is healthy. I'd rather have Roki than Glasnow but this would be a good haul for Skubal.

[1984Echoes]

I'd turn Glasnow into our closer.

And ask for one more high-end prospect.

[chasfh]

3 hours ago, AlaskanTigersFan said:

Jim Bowden proposed this. I'd take that deal. Pray Glasnow is healthy. I'd rather have Roki than Glasnow but this would be a good haul for Skubal.

Holy f***, does Bowden work for the Dodgers now?

No way. If you have to pray that the 32-year-old top guy in the return is healthy in exchange for your two-time-defending Cy-Young-winning generational superstar pitcher, that's a bad trade.

[1984Echoes]

Buster Olney says Tigers are listening to Skubal offers.

Not shutting talks down at this point.

At any point they can do that, shut down the talks and say "we're keeping him".

But they haven't done so yet.

I'm still on the Sign him to an extension OR get a Godfather offer.

Olney says the Tigers' asking price is very, very high at this point.

To be continued...

[Tiger337]

They should never shut down talks on ANY player, so I don't think that is big news.  If some team wants to make a riduculous offer, then nobody is off the table.  However, I want it to be an offer which will help them this year which I don't see happening.  

Edited December 5 by Tiger337

[1984Echoes]

I can easily see a big trade helping the Tigers this year.

I'm not saying the same impact as having Skubal...

Nor that every guy they get in return...

But a couple guys who just broke into MLB or are in AA or AAA and ready to break through...

Can help the Tigers.

Whether they are top 100 guys or close to it...

I think Harris will demand that.

[Tiger337]

13 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

I can easily see a big trade helping the Tigers this year.

I'm not saying the same impact as having Skubal...

Nor that every guy they get in return...

But a couple guys who just broke into MLB or are in AA or AAA and ready to break through...

Can help the Tigers.

Whether they are top 100 guys or close to it...

I think Harris will demand that.

By opening day. I want them to be a better team next year than they were this year.  Otherwise, keep Skubal.  

[1984Echoes]

1 hour ago, Tiger337 said:

By opening day. I want them to be a better team next year than they were this year.  Otherwise, keep Skubal.  

That's easy.

Sign Bregman, sign Tucker, sign Imai. 

McGonigle makes opening day SS.

And we are EASILY a better team than they were last year.

[papalawrence]

A team can go 20 years or more without a player of Skubal's talent. The Tigers are fortunate to have him on the heels of JV and Max. If a package doesn't include a McLean or a Schlittler type mlb ready guy, plus prospects I will be very disappointed. Even with McLean and Schlittler there is still plenty of uncertainty. I know Scoobs can also get hurt. The fact that it is out that Detroit is listening deserves bad haiku:

Scoobs is like Elvis

Handing fans pink Cadillac

Don't die on the loo

[SoCalTiger]

Everybody Loves Scooby doo but he is OUR Scooby doo so it will take a "Louisiana Purchase " return to trade him.

[chasfh]

I just don’t see how a contending team will empty out the top of their farm system, and add a plus already-big-league player, for one year of a Tarik Skubal who is going to just leave them next year anyway.

Skubal’s not going anywhere this winter.

[Tenacious D]

1 hour ago, chasfh said:

I just don’t see how a contending team will empty out the top of their farm system, and add a plus already-big-league player, for one year of a Tarik Skubal who is going to just leave them next year anyway.

Skubal’s not going anywhere this winter.

Finally, we agree.  I think the only outlier to this are the Mets who seem willing to act a bit more impulsively and take risks. But I don’t think Harris wants to trade Skubal.

[chasfh]

21 minutes ago, Tenacious D said:

Finally, we agree.  I think the only outlier to this are the Mets who seem willing to act a bit more impulsively and take risks. But I don’t think Harris wants to trade Skubal.

“Finally”? Meaning you’ve changed your mind about whether Skubal’s getting traded this winter? That must be it, because I’ve been saying that he won’t be traded literally since the season ended. 😃

[1984Echoes]

37 minutes ago, Tenacious D said:

... I think the only outlier to this are the Mets who seem willing to act a bit more impulsively and take risks. But I don’t think Harris wants to trade Skubal.

There are several points I disagree with...

1) I don't think the Mets are the only outlier.

2) Has everyone forgotten that Dave Dombrowski likes shiny toys?

3) Anyone who wants to take down the Dodgers has their eyes on Skubal. And Tucker or others, etc... But... Skubal.

4) When we traded for Miggy with one year left before FA... We immediately signed him to a long-term extension if memory serves. I believe Boras was his agent? (although I have a faulty memory... was it Rosenhaus?)

5) Boras HAS signed players before getting them to FA before... Not his MO or preference... but meet his and his client's price... And the deal gets done. 

6) The Red Sox would be willing to meet their price if they traded for Skubal. So would the Mets. So would the Phillies. Even the Dodgers would do that, as a blocking measure, just to ensure the Mets or Phillies do NOT get Skubal (IMO...).

7) I AGREE that Harris doesn't want to trade Skubal. However, as the top guy for the Tigers, he is going to make the BEST DECISION for the TIGERS ORG. Not the fans. Not the media. Not Boras. Not Skubal. I think his FIRST want is to sign Skubal to an extension... but at a price and term that he believes is in the Org's best interest. If they are pricing themselves higher than what he believes is good for the Org (and Boras definitely will have that price too high), then I am going to guess that Harris, IN THE BEST INTERESTS of the TIGERS ORG... will absolutely accept a Godfather offer.

In the interests of the Tigers Org, and NOT just for 2026 and ONLY 2026... He will rightly have concluded that a Godfather offer is superior to having Skubal in 2026 and then a Comp pick in 2027.

 

This may upset everyone on this board. But Harris doesn't answer to any of us. We are ONLY fans.

He has a responsibility to the ORG, NOT just for 2026, but for this year and multiple years to follow.

If he receives a Godfather offer, he WILL pull the trigger. He will have correctly concluded that 4 (or 3 or 5 or whatever) very highly talented players that he receives in return for Skubal is greater value to the Tigers Organization.

ATF and I are correct.

Even if that upsets everyone else on this board.

Sorry everyone.

[1984Echoes]

On 12/6/2025 at 8:04 AM, chasfh said:

I just don’t see how a contending team will empty out the top of their farm system, and add a plus already-big-league player, for one year of a Tarik Skubal who is going to just leave them next year anyway.

Skubal’s not going anywhere this winter.

Sorry Chas... but I gotta quote your post as it's the most apt for the following thoughts...

After listening to Olney:

2 hours ago, papalawrence said:

You have to scroll in several minutes, but here is some Skubal info directly from Onley yesterday. Executives are telling him they expect Skubal to be traded and the haul will be huge

 

 

I now 100% disagree with the sentiment in your post...

And there are quite a few on here that have the same sentiments so to all who feel this way...

Skubal's getting traded this offseason. 100% (IMO).

The biggest detractive points are what has been outlined:

Noone wants to empty their farm system.

For only 1 year of a pitcher, no matter how good he is.

And they're certainly not going to include any MLB talent.

I mostly agree with this.

EXCEPT...

There is another way to think about this (I started thinking about this other thought-stream after listening to Buster), and it actually has been posted in this thread previously:

On 11/6/2025 at 8:28 AM, Hongbit said:

...  Mets won’t treat this as a rental deal.  Steve Cohen would make the deal knowing that he’ll pay whatever Boras wants in FA.  Cohen’s ego is so big that he can’t even imagine losing Skubal in a money deal.  He may even make an offer so over the top before FA that Boras has no choice but to sign it and not take Skub to market.   

 

And it's not just Cohen. There are others that are perfectly comfortable working with Boras.

Dombrowski is another.

The Dodgers are another.

I'm not certain about the Red Sox. Maybe? Probably?

The Blue Jays? Mariners? Dunno.

But there are several with the "balls" to do just that.

Trade for Skubal even without an immediate extension in place... That team is still going to be cocky enough to say "We'll sell him on us. He'll love this team and city. We'll do whatever it takes to keep him. We've worked with Boras before and we can do it again."

What risk does that team take? The same as Detroit, with where we are at right now. One year of Skubal and only a Comp pick in 2027 to show for it.

But there ARE teams that will take that risk... just as Hongbit pointed out.

One other thing as Buster points out: After the 2026 season... who knows what happens with the new CBA negotiations. Teams in fact, right now, are shying away from major commitments in 2027.

So...

there is the real possibility that a team will WANT to take a big swing in 2026, even at the cost of quite a lot in prospect/ future control terms... for ONLY the one year of Skubal. They will try to re-sign him... but are PERFECTLY willing to wait until the new CBA is resolved. Meaning... not add in the cost of a new Skubal contract until then.

And...

That may actually HURT Boras/Skubal in free agency next year. Not that he WON'T get that massive offer... but that no one will get them offers until the new CBA. They, and all other 2027 FA's, may get stuck waiting for that to be resolved first. At least that's what I am getting from what Olney is saying...

 

 

Edited December 7 by 1984Echoes

[SoCalTiger]

I have no idea if Skubal will be traded or not but one thought keeps entering my mind and that is if Detroit has determined they can not or will not pay his Boras price, and I’m sure they have a good idea what that is, then what’s the difference if you lose him this year or next ! Your going to get hammered by fans and the press either way. 
 

 

[SoCalTiger]

Additionally it has been mentioned on this board that Skubal is our only true superstar on the roster. Which I agree but in that case doesn’t it mean you have to trade him since you can’t expect to win a championship with only one ? 
 

Harris is in a tough spot. 

[AlaskanTigersFan]

1 hour ago, 1984Echoes said:

Sorry Chas... but I gotta quote your post as it's the most apt for the following thoughts...

After listening to Olney:

 

I now 100% disagree with the sentiment in your post...

And there are quite a few on here that have the same sentiments so to all who feel this way...

Skubal's getting traded this offseason. 100% (IMO).

The biggest detractive points are what has been outlined:

Noone wants to empty their farm system.

For only 1 year of a pitcher, no matter how good he is.

And they're certainly not going to include any MLB talent.

I mostly agree with this.

EXCEPT...

There is another way to think about this (I started thinking about this other thought-stream after listening to Buster), and it actually has been posted in this thread previously:

 

And it's not just Cohen. There are others that are perfectly comfortable working with Boras.

Dombrowski is another.

The Dodgers are another.

I'm not certain about the Red Sox. Maybe? Probably?

The Blue Jays? Mariners? Dunno.

But there are several with the "balls" to do just that.

Trade for Skubal even without an immediate extension in place... That team is still going to be cocky enough to say "We'll sell him on us. He'll love this team and city. We'll do whatever it takes to keep him. We've worked with Boras before and we can do it again."

What risk does that team take? The same as Detroit, with where we are at right now. One year of Skubal and only a Comp pick in 2027 to show for it.

But there ARE teams that will take that risk... just as Hongbit pointed out.

One other thing as Buster points out: After the 2026 season... who knows what happens with the new CBA negotiations. Teams in fact, right now, are shying away from major commitments in 2027.

So...

there is the real possibility that a team will WANT to take a big swing in 2026, even at the cost of quite a lot in prospect/ future control terms... for ONLY the one year of Skubal. They will try to re-sign him... but are PERFECTLY willing to wait until the new CBA is resolved. Meaning... not add in the cost of a new Skubal contract until then.

And...

That may actually HURT Boras/Skubal in free agency next year. Not that he WON'T get that massive offer... but that no one will get them offers until the new CBA. They, and all other 2027 FA's, may get stuck waiting for that to be resolved first. At least that's what I am getting from what Olney is saying...

 

 

Driving to church, I found a much shorter/condensed version on my google. But it is 100% EXACTLY WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING FOR MONTHS! And no, I'm not Buster Olney. But maybe I should be. I love how he says if you can trade 1 year of team control for 18 years of team control OR MORE, you HAVE TO DO IT! That's EXACTLY what I have been saying. Good to know I line up with professional GM's. 

Now we'll see if the trigger actually gets pulled. I'll believe it when I see it. Should it happen, yes. Will it happen.... meh?¿ 🫤

 

 

[AlaskanTigersFan]

3 minutes ago, SoCalTiger said:

Additionally it has been mentioned on this board that Skubal is our only true superstar on the roster. Which I agree but in that case doesn’t it mean you have to trade him since you can’t expect to win a championship with only one ? 
 

Harris is in a tough spot. 

They'll be getting a ton back for him in players that are either just getting in the league (think Roki Sasaki) or players in AAA (like top 20 prospects in the game). The return will help them. If they took the money they'd sign Skubal and shift it to someone like Kyle Tucker, they could rebuild the team VERY quickly. Clark and McGonigle are STUDS. They have a bery good chance to make it. Now they can also crap the bed, but they have a good chance to to make it. Then you have three. Not to mention, if they go after Bregman, that's one heck of a lineup at the end of this year..... They'll get a top pitching prospect back in return. They don't need him to be a #1. They need him to be a #2. Jobe should be back late this year/next year. he's your number one. 

The point is, the Tigers can do this if they use intelligence. But if they screw this up, it'll set them back to a huge degree. I always say look at the Angels when they screwed up Ohtani. This is the EXACT same thing. 

[1984Echoes]

1 hour ago, SoCalTiger said:

Additionally it has been mentioned on this board that Skubal is our only true superstar on the roster. Which I agree but in that case doesn’t it mean you have to trade him since you can’t expect to win a championship with only one ? 

...

This is another good point.

It means that 2026 is either UP or DOWN, all dependent on only ONE player (Skubal) that makes or breaks our season. I don't think that's a good place to be in, for any team.

Also along those lines...

I would think that we want to have 3 or 4 upper echelon stars on our team in order to have annual playoff hopes.

At least. As a starting point. IMO. (These comments are not directed at you SoCal but at the general forum populace...)

Which means...

If Harris is looking at Clark-McGonigle as true top stars (sorry, I know this is only "potential"), and Tork/ Greene/ Carpenter/ Mize/ Keith? etc., etc., only as support players... and a team offers Harris what he believes can be an additional future (potential) top star or two or three... Shouldn't he take that offer? 

In order to have the requisite number of upper echelon stars that lead to annual playoff hunts?

IMO... I believe he should be looking at exactly that.

[Tiger337]

1 hour ago, SoCalTiger said:

Additionally it has been mentioned on this board that Skubal is our only true superstar on the roster. Which I agree but in that case doesn’t it mean you have to trade him since you can’t expect to win a championship with only one ? 
 

Harris is in a tough spot. 

They were loaded with superstars under Dombrowski and still didn't win one, so I don't know that the correlation is that strong.  I would say since they only have one, they need to keep him because they probably won't even make the playoffs without him.  I also don't think trading him is necessarily just a matter of player performance value coming and going. The Tigers just made the playoffs two years in a row after a really long and ugly drought.  It seems that trading your only star at this time will potentially alienate a lot of people from fans to teammates to potential free agents.  

[SoCalTiger]

1 minute ago, Tiger337 said:

They were loaded with superstars under Dombrowski and still didn't win one, so I don't know that the correlation is that strong.  I would say since they only have one, they need to keep him because they probably won't even make the playoffs without him.  I also don't think trading him is necessarily just a matter of player performance value coming and going. The Tigers just made the playoffs two years in a row after a really long and ugly drought.  It seems that trading your only star at this time will potentially alienate a lot of people from fans to teammates to potential free agents.  

Fair point. Which is why Harris is indeed stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[gehringer_2]

12 minutes ago, Tiger337 said:

only star at this time will potentially alienate a lot of people from fans to teammates to potential free agents.  

the way stars moves today, I wonder how much of a factor that really is anymore - at least theoretically. The heart of the Tigers line-up has been pretty stable the last couple of years, yet I'm sure they were still quite disappointed in 2025 attendance. And of course, that alienation is coming a year later anyway. My guess if if they traded him but got out of the gate well next season the fans would forget soon enough - but of course trading him makes the odds of that a lot smaller, unless they make out very well in the trade.

But leaving aside the general to consider the particular, the problem for this Tiger team is the context. When they lost a CY pitcher in Scherzer, the perception was the rotation was still pretty good. For my money the Tiger rotation after Skubal now is a potential train wreck. It's much harder to see how they can emerge in any kind of contending position if they trade him.

Edited December 7 by gehringer_2