Tigers already being listed as a seller at 2026 trade deadline will have fans panicking

2026 was supposed to be another step forward for the Detroit Tigers. While the Tigers finished a mere run away from reaching the ALCS last October, they failed to make the necessary upgrades — especially offensively — and thus have looked more like the team that blew a double-digit game lead in the second half of last season and less like a real American League contender.

Now, that doesn't mean the Tigers are done for. Thanks to the AL Central's flagrant disregard for winning, the division is still as tight entering play on Friday.

The Tigers are well within striking distance, especially if they can hold the fort until Tarik Skubal returns to full strength. Their record alone is not reason to panic. What is a reason for concern is the general vibe around baseball — confirmed by reporters, mind you — that Detroit could consider selling at the trade deadline.

MLB insider gives Tigers fans reason to panic

USA Today MLB Insider Bob Nightengale dropped some knowledge on Tigers fans this weekend, when he noted the team could be headed towards a crossroads. Per Nightengale, "if the Tigers fall out of the race, look out."

Even Nightengale had to give himself a way out of that report. Yes, the Tigers aren't playing good baseball and sure, they could land a haul for Skubal in particular, with Nightengale saying Scott Harris would pursue a "Juan Soto-like" return. There are a couple of flaws in his judgement, with the first being his own qualifier. 'If' the Tigers fall out of the race, they might sell. The same can be said of just over 70% of the American League right now, all of which is under .500 on the season.

What the Tigers have that those teams don't is (you guessed it) a player like Skubal returning from the injured list in a couple of months. Harris invested in the starting rotation by signing Framber Valdez, and the bullpen when he brought in veteran closer Kenley Jansen. And as inconsistent as the Tigers lineup has been at times, Riley Greene, Kevin McGonigle and even Dillon Dingler have been excellent.

It's far too soon to lose hope in the Tigers, no matter how frustrated the fanbase has become.

Should the Tigers actually sell at the MLB trade deadline?

Given the state of the American League, it's farfetched to assume the Tigers will sell at the trade deadline this early. That doesn't mean they're not taking calls, though, especially on players on expiring contracts like Skubal.

For all the panic he stirred up among Tigers fans, Nightengale failed to mention one player beyond Skubal Detroit could consider selling. He's far from the only player on an expiring contract, with Kenley Jansen, Gleyber Torres and Jack Flaherty possibly joining him on the trade block should the Tigers embrace a fire sale.

But if the Tigers are just a few games back of a division crown come early August, it's hard to see them trading Skubal for anything less than a Soto-like package they're simply not going to get, especially for a pitcher coming off elbow surgery. If the return doesn't fit the player, then the Tigers best option could be give Skubal a qualifying offer in free agency and take the compensatory pick that comes with it.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow