Tigers rumors: Bob Nightengale declares Tarik Skubal trade suitors must ‘hold phone calls’

This Major League Baseball season has been a turbulent one for the Detroit Tigers. Not only is the team mired in a losing record, but star pitcher Tarik Skubal is the subject of constant trade talks.

In his Sunday column for USA Today, writer Bob Nightengale argues that teams will now have to hold off on trying to make trade calls for Skubal.

“Hold those phone calls: The Detroit Tigers went into an utter free-fall after Tarik Skubal went down with a bone chip in his elbow, losing 21 of 25 games, with teams salivating at the chance to acquire Skubal,” Nightengale wrote. “Yet, the Tigers since have gone 7-3 in June and Skubal returned Saturday, with Casey Miza and Justin Verlander on the way back. The Tigers plan to wait until around the All-Star break to see if they can get back in the race before pulling the plug on their season and trading Skubal.”

There is still plenty of work to do for these Tigers. Heading into Sunday, the Tigers hold a 29-42 record. Detroit is fourth in the American League Central. The club has six wins in their last 10 games.

Skubal has been mentioned a fit for multiple teams. The Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays are just a few of the clubs that have been linked to Skubal.

This season, the Detroit ace has been struggling with elbow problems. Despite his recent injury, the Tigers star is one of the best hurlers in baseball. He won the American League Cy Young in 2024 and 2025.

Skubal holds a 2.81 ERA on the season. He has three victories for Detroit. Skubal worked four-plus innings for the team in a game on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians. Detroit lost to Cleveland, 3-1.

The Tigers play the Guardians again on Sunday afternoon.

The post Tigers rumors: Bob Nightengale declares Tarik Skubal trade suitors must ‘hold phone calls’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.