MLB exec has odd take on Tigers' Tarik Skubal, Brewers' Freddy Peralta trade markets

Matt Sullivan

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MLB exec has odd take on Tigers' Tarik Skubal, Brewers' Freddy Peralta trade markets image

The Detroit Tigers and the Milwaukee Brewers have one thing in common this offseason. Both of their top starting pitchers are drawing a lot of trade interest.

Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta are among the hottest names this winter, and while Peralta is a good option, Skubal is the prized jewel of the trade market this winter.

And yet, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, one MLB executive believes that teams should be more strongly pursuing Peralta than Skubal this offseason.

MLB exec believes Freddy Peralta should have more trade offers than Tarik Skubal

"Meanwhile, one executive opined the Milwaukee Brewers should have more offers for Freddy Peralta than the Tigers do for Skubal," Rogers writes, "even though the latter is a two-time Cy Young winner."

This is a very interesting take from a former MLB executive. There is a clear difference between the two, and it starts on the field.

Skubal has won the 2024 and 2025 AL Cy Young Award. It's an incredible feat, and being able to trade for such a player would be a no-brainer for any team.

The issue is the price, as the Tigers have set a very, very high asking price for the ace lefty. It makes sense, as losing Skubal will be a huge blow, and if the Tigers do make such a move, they need a lot in return to justify it.

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That issue, the expensive price tag, is why this MLB executive believes teams should be going after Peralta more strongly. Not because Peralta is the better pitcher, but because he's the much more affordable player to trade for.

Rogers reports teams "simply love" the $8 million contract owed to Peralta next season. That low cost, combined with a lower price tag in a trade than Skubal, makes the Brewers right-hander the better trade option this winter for most teams.

Skubal has the case to be called the best pitcher in Major League Baseball, and yet, his trade market shouldn't be as robust thanks to the absurdly high asking price from the Tigers, in the mind of this MLB executive.

It makes sense, despite how odd it initially sounds. But, this feeling is good news for the Tigers' odds to keep Skubal this season, as a less active trade market won't drive up the price to what the Tigers are looking for.

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Contributing Writer