MLB Mailbag: Skubal, Nationals, Rays, Tibbs

Tarik Skubal’s injury and the Tigers’ poor record create pressure to decide whether to trade him or keep him through the season. Detroit’s standing in the AL Central and the Wild Card race leaves a plausible path to contention, even if a .500 finish could still be enough for a playoff spot. With 68 days until the trade deadline and 58 games remaining, Detroit can wait to gather information and potentially build trade leverage in July. The key questions center on whether trading is the only reasonable option, whether retaining Skubal and accepting a sandwich pick could ever be better, and which teams would offer top-of-system value for two-plus months of his services.

"With the Tigers collapsing in the absence of Tarik Skubal, even with his return relatively imminent, the national media are salivating at the prospect of his escape from Detroit toward the bright lights (and easier access) of, I guess, the media centers of Los Angeles or New York. Assuming the Tigers don't recover to even .500 by late July, my questions are: (1) Is trading Skubal the only reasonable option the Tigers would have? (2) Is there a real scenario in which it would be better to retain Skubal and let him walk, accepting the sandwich pick instead? (3) If a trade is certain, are there actually any teams likely to give up true top-of-system value in return for two-plus months of Skubal, and which teams would those be?"

"After a 10-6 loss Tuesday evening at the hands of the equally lousy Angels, the Tigers stand at 21-34 wth 34% of their season in the books. The Tigers still play in an AL Central where only the Guardians are projected to finish above .500, and in a league where the third Wild Card team is two games under. There seems to be a decent chance that in the AL this year, a .500 finish could net a playoff spot."

"The Tigers have won only three of their last 20 games, yet still hold a 16.5% playoff chance. 68 days remain until the trade deadline, during which time the Tigers will play 58 games. The Tigers could reasonably let another third of their season play out before making a decision on Skubal, even if they need to lay some groundwork in July."

Read at MLB Trade Rumors