A Tarik Skubal suitor Tigers fans should’ve seen coming is (literally) lurking in Detroit

Tigers ace Tarik Skubal's final outing before the MLB trade deadline went according to plan, until it didn't. Skubal threw nearly seven innings of one-run ball (he ended up with three earned thanks to inherited baserunners the bullpen let score). He had the Tigers at the finish line, ready to win their second-straight game over fellow AL Wild Card contender in the Orioles. Then, the bottom fell out of the Tigers bullpen. This, if anything, is a microcosm of how the Tigers season has gone. We can only hope the trade deadline offers more optimism.

No matter what the result was on Wednesday, the Tigers were bound to listen to offers on Skubal. He is a two-time AL Cy Young winner and on an expiring contract. President of baseball operations Scott Harris has one eye on the future, and it's tough to justify keeping Skubal around unless the Tigers have a clear path to the postseason. Last time I checked, jumping four teams in Wild Card race or three in the division doesn't qualify. The rest is out of Tigers fans' control, including where Skubal may end up post-deadline. The answer may be right under their noses.

Phillies emerging as candidate to trade for Tarik Skubal

The Phillies don't necessarily need Skubal. A postseason trio of Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler and Jesus Luzardo is good enough. Tigers fans know Dave Dombrowski better than most. He is not satisfied with 'good enough', especially when the Dodgers are lurking as a Skubal buyer and in search of a three-peat. National League contenders have to be built different, as their road to the World Series is likely to go through Los Angeles.

Scouting Skubal is an amusing thought. Sure, there are some concerns about the elbow surgery he underwent earlier this season, but the left-hander has been downright filthy since his return. What more did the Phillies need to see? Well, Skubal went over seven innings and gave up one run with 12 strikeouts against the Royals. Perhaps he's worth the asking price, if indeed the Tigers want to trade him.

What the Tigers would want from the Phillies for Tarik Skubal

This is the ultimate question. If the Tigers trade Skubal, they reportedly want at least one young, controllable starting pitcher in return alongside prospect capital. That's a big ask, especially since Skubal is likely to leave whatever team trades for him in free agency.

In terms of controllable starting pitching, the Phillies have Andrew Painter, though his 2026 season has been a bit rocky. Painter has an ERA over seven, and wouldn't have the same trade value as, say, Brewers starting pitcher Logan Henderson.

That makes Philadelphia a tougher fit. Sure, Painter can be involved. He's a recent top-100 prospect in most rankings. after all. He cannot be the main piece unless something has gone terribly wrong in Skubal trade talks. The good news is if Dombrowski is desperate to add to an already-impressive rotation, then Painter could just be the start. Think big, Tigers fans.

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