Jim Bowden proposes (another) frankly insulting Tigers-Dodgers trade for Tarik Skubal

MLB executives and insiders alike are totally split on whether or not the Tigers will or should trade Tarik Skubal, but you'd be hard-pressed to find an insider who believes they will and should as much as former GM Jim Bowden.

Bowden deals in far more absolutes than most other insiders when it comes to Skubal. In a rumor dump from GM Meetings, he went as far as to write, "Once they get that overwhelming offer — which they will — they'll likely have no choice but to trade him," and "The Tigers have no chance of signing Skubal to a long-term extension this winter."

He's taken it to another level, too, throwing out some ridiculous trade proposals (Dodgers, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies, Yankees) and what the usual suspects could offer to the Tigers, including an awful Skubal-Tyler Glasnow swap.

If Tigers fans thought that one was bad, just wait: Bowden put together another Dodgers trade package that didn't even include Glasnow this time. Instead, he has LA offering pitchers Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski, pitching prospect Jackson Ferris, and outfield prospect Zyhir Hope. It was a small amendment on an even weaker idea in a previous piece: Sheehan, Wrobleski, and just one of Hope or No. 1 Dodgers prospect Josue De Paula.

Jim Bowden can't stop throwing out the worst possible Tarik Skubal trade ideas for Tigers

Maybe Bowden's confidence in a Skubal trade is so high because he's completely misevaluating and underestimating what the Tigers' front office will demand for him. All of Sheehan, Wrobleski, Ferris, and Hope is a huge payday, to be fair, but the Tigers should get even more in value if a trade absolutely has to happen.

Sheehan is a good place to start. The Dodgers don't have room for him in their rotation in 2026 but he showed flashes of brilliance this season. Wrobleski, though, the Tigers could take or leave. He's young, which is good, but he's been incredibly spotty. Hope is good and the Tigers could use outfield upgrades, but still isn't expected to be in the majors until 2027.

If we were to amend Bowden's trade proposal, give us Sheehan, De Paula instead of Hope, River Ryan or Gavin Stone instead of Wrobleski, and maybe even Hyeseong Kim. It might sound like an overpay for the Dodgers, but they have no room for any of those guys on their roster and the Tigers don't need to trade Skubal. Anything less is really just insulting.