Insider sends urgent Tarik Skubal trade message to Tigers

The trade rumor buzz is growing louder with Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers with each passing day. It may have reached an all-time high on Wednesday after one insider urged the organization to at least consider looking at what offers may come its way.

During a guest appearance on “Foul Territory,” MLB insider Jim Bowden believes now is the time for the Tigers to shop around and see what trade packages they could receive in a Skubal trade. Considering the 29-year-old ace is in line to be a free agent after this season, and there is no long-term contract in place, Detroit has a chance to acquire a haul of talented players by trading Skubal instead of just letting him walk in free agency.

“I think the most important thing if you’re the Tigers is, look, you want to turn this around, you want to give this team another month. But you can’t wait to shop, Tarik Skubal,” said Bowden. “He’s gonna be a free agent. You’re not gonna be able to extend him between now and free agency. And you don’t want to sit there and get to August and not be in the postseason, and still have Skubal on your roster.

“That would be a mistake,” continued Bowden. “You don’t want to set your franchise back… If you’re the Tigers, start the process now. Figure out what contending teams have interest, what top prospects are on the table, what top prospects won’t be on the table. Try to figure out where you think you match up the best, and go through the process.”

The Tigers need to start exploring trade options involving Tarik Skubal now, says @JimBowdenGM.

"Try to figure out where you think you match up the best and go through the process." pic.twitter.com/YdYNJCx3F2

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 3, 2026

Tarik Skubal is currently working his way back from a surgery that removed loose bodies from his left elbow. There is a chance he returns to the mound this season. However, the Tigers are near the bottom of the rankings, and it might be smart to acquire a haul of prospects to build for the future.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner was on pace for another big year before suffering the arm injury. In seven appearances on the mound in 2026, Skubal owns a 2.70 ERA and 0.946 WHIP with 45 strikeouts.

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