Tarik Skubal trade update reveals timeline on talks for Tigers' ace

Matt Sullivan

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Tarik Skubal trade update reveals timeline on talks for Tigers' ace image

While there are plenty of great free agents and realistic trade targets, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has been the white whale for teams this offseason.

Detroit isn't shutting down trade offers and has entertained some this winter from unknown teams. The Los Angeles Dodgers may be one, but there's been no confirmation of any talks or offers from specific teams.

But, according to a new report from ESPN's Buster Olney, the update on Skubal's trade market was revealed. Not only that, but a timeline for a possible deal was revealed, indicating a date that teams may have to wait until for an offer to be accepted.

Tigers get Spring Training Tarik Skubal trade update

"The same is true with Tarik Skubal and the Tigers: Detroit has set a very high price tag on the lefty," Olney writes, "and the expectation within the organization is that Skubal will be in their camp at the outset of Spring Training."

This report from Olney reveals that the Tigers are planning for Skubal to be on the roster once Spring Training starts.

It's a timeline for Skubal, in that there is no deal expected over the next month or so. While it's hardly a surprise, given the status of the free agent and trade market for starters this winter.

With so many great options still available, it's harder for a team to spend so much on Skubal this offseason. Instead, they'd be better off signing or trading for a different starter.

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Detroit likely won't take him off the trade market, as an offer that's hard to refuse might be accepted by the Tigers. But, for now, the Tigers have every intention of holding onto him through the beginning of Spring Training.

The Tigers are playing their first Spring Training game on February 21st, which is over a month and a half away. Until then, and based on this report from Olney, there won't be any Skubal trades.

Despite plenty of teams eyeing Skubal, this report indicates they'll have to wait some time before trade talks ramp back up again during Spring Training.

In recent years, free agent deals on top players weren't agreed to until Spring Training, and if a Skubal deal happens, it would be likely to follow a similar timeline.

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