Tarik Skubal trade rumor reveals why Tigers' asking price is too much for MLB clubs

Matt Sullivan

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Tarik Skubal trade rumor reveals why Tigers' asking price is too much for MLB clubs image

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This offseason has featured plenty of trade rumors, speculation, updates, and reports on the Detroit Tigers and Tarik Skubal.

With the two very far apart in their contract talks, the possibility of a trade remains high. But, will the Tigers trade him? It's too early to tell, but the asking price has begun to come to fruition.

While specifics aren't known, as Jim Bowden of The Athletic notes, the asking price is a "significant" one for the team. However, if the Tigers want to trade Skubal, they will have to significantly lower that asking price; otherwise, no team will trade for the ace.

Tigers might be forced to 'significantly' reduce asking price for Tarik Skubal

"The Tigers have listened to trade offers and at least talked about the 'ballpark' parameters it would take to trade him," Bowden writes. "According to club sources, the asking price is so significant that it is unlikely a trade happens unless Detroit lowers its sights significantly."

This update from Bowden isn't a major surprise, in that the Tigers' asking price for a two-time Cy Young is high. But, where this rumor gets interesting is hearing that teams won't do a deal unless the Tigers drastically lower the price.

The Tigers are looking to trade Skubal this offseason if they get the right deal, but barring a change in tune from teams around the league, it doesn't sound like Skubal is going anywhere.

Will Detroit really take significantly less in return for Skubal this offseason? It's hard to imagine that would go over well with the fanbase.

More: Tigers' Tarik Skubal gets $32 million contract update from ESPN's Jeff Passan

While losing him for nothing will also sting, trading him away for very little (compared to their initial asking price) will be an even greater indictment on the team.

Keeping Skubal for 2026, hoping to win a World Series, and letting him walk is the most likely scenario. The Tigers might also trade him at the trade deadline if the season isn't going well.

They would be more urgent to trade him, and could get a desperate team to splurge on Skubal at the deadline. Trading Skubal will come with massive ramifications for the franchise, so their asking price being so high isn't a surprise.

Teams don't want to spend so much on Skubal, however, leaving the Tigers with few options this offseason. Skubal's future in Detroit is up in the air, but it might be a lot trickier for the Tigers than initially thought.

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