Should the Detroit Tigers Rush a Tarik Skubal Trade?

The Detroit Tigers are expected to trade their star pitcher, Tarik Skubal, before the Major League Baseball trade deadline on August 3. Skubal has won the American League Cy Young Award two years in a row, making him one of the most valuable pitchers in the sport. ESPN reporter Jeff Passan said on July 29 that he believed a trade would happen within just a day or two. But not everyone agrees that moving so fast is a smart idea.

Former general manager Jim Bowden appeared on the GM Territory show on July 30 and pushed back on the idea of a quick trade. He said it only makes sense to rush if the Tigers are getting absolutely everything they want in return. Otherwise, he argued, the Tigers should use every day they have left. 'As a former GM, it makes no sense to me why you would rush the trade,' Bowden said.

Bowden explained that the trade deadline exists for a reason — it gives teams like Detroit more power in negotiations. When you have a player that many teams want, you can make those teams compete against each other. The longer the Tigers wait, the more pressure the other teams feel to offer a better deal. Bowden believes the Tigers should let teams 'sweat it out' until the very last days before the deadline.

Bowden also pointed out that the Tigers may have two strong trade pieces, not just one. He mentioned pitcher Casey Mize alongside Skubal as another valuable player Detroit could move. Having two top pitchers on the market gives Detroit even more leverage. Waiting until Sunday or Monday, he said, could bring in a much better return for both players.

Skubal is 29 years old and has had a solid season, going 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA in 16 starts. He likely made his final start as a Tiger on July 29. No matter where he ends up, experts believe he could have a huge impact on another team's playoff run in 2026. His talent makes him one of the most sought-after players at this year's deadline.

The Tigers, sitting at 51-58 through July 29, are unlikely to make the playoffs whether they keep Skubal or not. He is also set to become a free agent at the end of the season, meaning Detroit has no path to keeping him long-term. Trading him now lets the Tigers get something valuable in return before he walks away for nothing. All signs point to a trade happening — the only real question is when.