The narrative that Tigers ace Tarik Skubal doesn’t go deep into games is unfounded. He was fourth in MLB in innings pitched this year, just 11 2/3 innings behind the leader.

The “$250 million apart” narrative is simply Scott Boras negotiating through the media, trying to drive up the price of Skubal’s next contract—regardless of which team ends up signing him.

What isn’t public is what the Tigers are actually offering. Their offer could be $500 million over 10 years, and Boras could be digging in at $750 million over 12 years.

Because you’re (rightfully) cynical about Chris Ilitch’s willingness to spend, you’re assuming the Tigers aren’t making a competitive offer. But someone is going to give Skubal a contract with an AAV north of $50 million, and it still could be Detroit. Boras is just doing what he always does—using the media to manipulate public perception and drive up his client’s market value.

If you’re the Tigers, you need a Looney Tunes–level return to even consider trading him. Your winning window is right now, and you’re not getting a better starting pitcher anywhere—not on the market, and not in your farm system.

I’m talking multiple 3.5+ WAR players off a big-league roster with multiple years of club control plus multiple top-100 prospects who are already in Double-A or higher.

Using the Cubs as an example, I’d need Kade Horton, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Michael Busch from the big-league roster, plus Owen Caissie (MLB #47) and Jaxon Wiggins (MLB #67) from their system.

Does that offer sound nuts? That’s because it is. But that’s the level of return it would take—because your winning window is now.

If you don’t get that, then you ride Skubal until his arm falls off next year, give him a qualifying offer, and take the comp pick when he signs elsewhere in 2027.

If this were 2023 and you hadn’t made the ALDS in back-to-back years, then sure—trade him for a reasonable return. But that’s not where the team is anymore.

You should be in win-now mode. Act like it.