Ken Rosenthal’s list of potential Tarik Skubal trade returns is ridiculously depressing

Will they or won't they? The story leading up to the 2026 MLB trade deadline — from which we are under two weeks away — will be Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. Yes, the Tigers have the second-best record in MLB since June 1 and, yes, Skubal remains a critical part of their postseason chances. He's also a free agent at the end of this season and likely to leave the Tigers in the dust for a larger offer. What is Scott Harris to do but listen to offers?

Listening to offers and actively seeking them out are two very different things, and it should be noted Ken Rosenthal did not mention the latter. What he did tell his readers was a list of starting pitchers the Tigers could want in return alongside prospect capital. Per Rosenthal, the Tigers would prefer to compete in 2026 and 2027 even if they trade their best pitcher. That's easier said than done.

Latest Tarik Skubal rumors are depressing for the Tigers

Per Rosenthal (and unnamed rival executives), the Tigers would only trade Skubal "for a controllable starting pitcher plus quality prospects. The starter would replace Skubal in the rotation, backfilling his innings but almost certainly providing lesser performance."

Those starting pitchers, starting from the top:

• Emmet Sheehan, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Logan Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers
• Ian Seymour, Tampa Bay Rays
• Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies
• JR Ritchie or AJ Smith-Shawver, Atlanta Braves
• Will Warren or Ryan Weathers, New York Yankees

That's it! That's the grand prize for a two-time AL Cy Young winner, Tigers fans. Rosenthal himself admitted that none of the pitchers listed above are "world-beaters," and that is putting it lightly.

Tigers are getting played in Tarik Skubal trade talks

The biggest concern for Tigers fans isn't that Harris will trade Skubal, but that he may butcher said trade. Dealing Skubal on an expiring contract is one thing — it's a sad reality most fans have expected for more than a year. Failing to take advantage of their greatest trade deadline asset could set the franchise back for years to come, and the initial list of controllable starting pitchers doesn't inspire much confidence.

Sheehan has a 5.13 ERA, and isn't nearly as desirable as, say, a Justin Wrobleski or Roki Sasaki, who would never be made available by Los Angeles. Henderson has missed the last six-ish weeks for the Brewers and has an extensive injury history. Ian Seymour is under team control, which is appetizing, but also has a 4.79 ERA and sits near the bottom of the Rays rotation. Painter has given up 17 earned runs in his last three starts alone. Ritchie and Smith-Shawver won't move the needle much and project as mid-rotation starting pitchers at best. Warren and Weathers are slightly more encouraging, but are still on a Yankees-approved list.

The Tigers want to thread the needle, adding to their rotation in the interim and planning for the future at the same time. These plans rarely work, as trading Skubal could suck the life out of any Tigers postseason push. Instead, Detroit could keep Skubal and land a compensatory first-round pick if he leaves. That pick could turn into, say, a Kevin McGonigle, who was selected 37th by Detroit just a few years ago.

The options are endless, but Harris must choose a direction and stick with it. Playing both sides is doomed to fail.

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