Tarik Skubal's comments begin ticking clock on future of Detroit Tigers

It must be difficult to be a player whose name is being thrown around in trade rumors, but that's been Tarik Skubal's entire life for at least two years now. We'd go as far as to say that he's had it worse than anyone.

Although the rumors died down after Winter Meetings came and went with Skubal remaining a Detroit Tiger, fans knew that they would only stay at bay if the Tigers lived up to expectations and made it immediately, abundantly clear that they would be postseason contenders.

Of course, that isn't what has happened. The Tigers are 30-44 (.405), the third-worst record in the American League and fourth-worst in baseball. The AL being so wide open is the keeping the barest of hopes alive — Scott Harris and the front office have told lurking suitors that they are not hearing offers at the moment — but just barely. Jeff Passan still gave Skubal an 85% chance of being traded at the deadline.

Skubal himself has not minced words when asked about his thoughts on the trade speculation. A few weeks ago, he said, "We've just got to start winning games."

Fast forward to Thursday and he's still saying basically the same thing, but with notably more frustration and urgency.

Tarik Skubal reminded fans how much is at stake as the Tigers approach the trade deadline

The very same Passan article that gave Skubal overwhelming odds to be dealt included eight other Tigers players — basically everyone on an expiring contract this year. Even the most pessimistic Tigers fans wouldn't have predicted that insiders would be foreseeing a fire sale over a month before the deadline.

Sure, Skubal's had to listen to a lot of noise about himself and could come to the same conclusions without it, but he's probably heard much of the same about his teammates, too. Even though he might be the centerpiece of the trade deadline, that doesn't mean that the Tigers won't try milk every ounce of value they can out of even more players if they come to that.

The Tigers are playing not only for their team, but to keep almost half of their roster from being upended in just a few weeks' time. Detroit's window to keep themselves from spiraling into the worst-case scenario fans already fear is getting smaller and smaller, and Skubal's clearly feeling it just as much as fans are.

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