4 doomsday trade scenarios if Tigers do the unthinkable with Tarik Skubal

On Thursday, Jon Heyman dropped a bomb that Tigers fans sort of expected but never wanted to see in writing: the Tigers front office and Tarik Skubal were hundreds of millions of dollars apart in contract negotiations dating back to last offseason. If Heyman is to be believed, it's $250 million, to be exact. Skubal's price is generally reported to be around $400 million.

It doomed Tigers fans to an offseason full of speculation as to whether or not Detroit will trade Skubal while they can get the absolute maximum value in return. If the Tigers are destined to lose Skubal, fans would much prefer to see him pitch through 2026 to give the team another good shot at a World Series run, but these deals would definitely get Scott Harris' attention.

4 doomsday trade scenarios if Tigers do the unthinkable with Tarik Skubal

Los Angeles Dodgers

Pages' 2025 season with the Dodgers was a breakout; his 27 homers would offer some right side pop for the Tigers, his defense in the outfield improved dramatically this year, and he has decent speed, making him an ideal replacement for Parker Meadows.

Hope and Ferris (LA's Nos. 2 and 7 prospects) both came to the Dodgers in their trade that sent Michael Busch to the Cubs, but we all know that the Dodgers only really develop prospects to make trades like this. The Tigers are lacking in both outfield and pitching depth at the top of their pipeline, and Ferris could be ready for the majors as soon as next season.

Boston Red Red Sox

Campbell had a disappointing 2025 that got him demoted to Triple-A to end the year despite his eight-year, $60 million extension, but it's far too early to call him a total wash, and he could be on the trade block this offseason. Although the Tigers do have an infield glut, he spent some time in the outfield in both the majors and minors this season.

Tolle, Boston's No. 2 prospect made his debut on Aug. 29 against Paul Skenes, and pitched an admirable 5 1/3 innings with two earned runs. He would give the Tigers another lefty to slot into the rotation immediately and to continue to develop. Perales (Boston's No. 9 prospect) underwent Tommy John in June 2024 but returned to action in the Arizona Fall League just last week and hit 101 MPH on his fastball.

New York Mets

Tong also made his electric debut this season, pitching five innings and only giving up one earned run. The Mets' defense failed him in the early going, when three more unearned runs scored on their watch, but they made up for it in run support with a seven-run second inning. Most of his outings following the debut were tough watches, but he put up 179 strikeouts in the minors this season alone and has one of the best fastballs of any top-10 pitching prospect in the game right now.

Williams (No. 3 prospect) could also be on the Tigers' major league roster as early as Opening Day, and he checks a lot of boxes they like. He'd be flexible on defense, has good speed, and could give Detroit some of that steady contact they were missing at the tail end of this year. Watson (No. 11 prospect) drew eyes this year when he jumped all the way from Single- to Double-A and posted just a 1.70 ERA in his 63 2/3 innings in High-A.

Philadelphia Phillies

Painter is the No. 3 pitching prospect in baseball behind the Mets' Nolan McLean (who they've already said they won't deal) and the Pirates' Bubba Chandler (but Pittsburgh would never go for a Skubal trade), and he is MLB-ready, having pitched 106 2/3 innings in Triple-A this year. He yielded less-than-ideal results (5.40 ERA), but, like Tong, could give the rotation immediate support and there's clearly room to grow.

Miller (No. 2 prospect) should be major-league ready by 2026 but wouldn't be likely to get a spot at shortstop if Kevin McGonigle continues to impress. Then again, the Tigers could flip him in another big-time trade. Wood (No. 4) is still a few years away from the majors, but he'd give the top of the Tigers' pipeline some much-needed pitching.

Again, we do not want any of these. But if the Tigers aren't going to pony up the cash, one of them could become a reality.