Detroit’s ace Tarik Skubal could be on the move this offseason — at least if the latest reporting from MLB insiders proves accurate. According to multiple sources, including Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Tigers have encountered a major snag in contract extension talks with Skubal, with Bowden describing the two sides as being “about a quarter of a billion dollars apart.”
That staggering gap reportedly has the Tigers front office reconsidering their options heading into the offseason, including the possibility of shopping Skubal at the upcoming Winter Meetings if no progress is made.
Bowden’s Latest Reporting
Bowden, who ranked Skubal at the top of his “most likely to be traded this offseason” list, says Detroit’s reluctance to meet Skubal’s market value could lead to serious discussions with several big-market clubs. Among those mentioned as potential suitors are the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and San Francisco Giants.
He notes that if Detroit doesn’t bridge the current contract gap, trade talks are expected to pick up momentum during the Winter Meetings, when general managers begin exploring blockbuster deals.
“If the Tigers aren’t willing to meet Skubal’s asking price, there’s no question teams like the Yankees and Dodgers will make a call,” Bowden told The Athletic. “He’s one of the top five pitchers in baseball right now — and his trade value might never be higher.”
What Other Insiders Are Saying
Other outlets, including MLB Trade Rumors and CBS Sports, have echoed Bowden’s assessment, reporting that Detroit’s internal discussions now revolve around two paths:
Revisiting extension talks before Spring Training, or Maximizing his value on the trade market while his cost is still low relative to performance.
Several executives around the league reportedly view Skubal as a “franchise-changing” pitcher — the type who could command one of the largest prospect hauls since the Corbin Burnes or Luis Castillo trades.
However, not everyone believes a deal is inevitable. Some within the Tigers organization still want to build around Skubal rather than move him, especially if they see themselves as competitive in the next two seasons.
Where Things Stand Now
For Detroit, the decision could come down to timing and risk. If the Tigers believe their window to contend is opening, keeping Skubal — even at a high cost — makes sense. But if ownership is unwilling to meet his market-rate extension demands, Bowden’s reporting suggests the front office may start taking calls sooner than later.
Given the public nature of the stalled talks and the $250 million gulf in negotiations, the likelihood that Skubal is at least made available for trade this winter has risen considerably.
Based on Bowden’s latest reporting and additional coverage from MLB Trade Rumors and CBS Sports, it now appears there’s a 60-70% chance Detroit explores trading him this offseason.
Potential Landing Spots
If the Tigers do decide to move their ace, the list of likely suitors is long — and expensive.
New York Yankees: Seeking top-end rotation help after injury-plagued seasons.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Could pair Skubal with Tyler Glasnow in a rotation built for October.
New York Mets: Have the prospect depth to make a competitive offer under new leadership.
Boston Red Sox: Desperate for a frontline starter to stabilize a young rotation.
San Francisco Giants: Linked to Skubal multiple times by Bowden and Yahoo Sports insiders.
Each of these teams would need to surrender top-tier prospects or young MLB talent to match Detroit’s asking price.
Outlook
While a trade isn’t guaranteed, the tone around the league has shifted sharply since the postseason ended. Bowden’s reporting adds fuel to what’s quickly becoming one of the MLB offseason’s biggest stories.
If extension talks remain deadlocked, expect Tarik Skubal’s name to dominate the Winter Meetings rumor mill — and possibly headline the first major blockbuster of the 2025-26 offseason.