Tigers insider shoots down Tarik Skubal extension, but reveals fruitful trade partner

As more and more time has passed, it appears that the reports of a $250 million gap between Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers extension talks are misleading. At the end of the day, whatever offers were made a year ago are irrelevant. After all, they were rejected, and then Skubal went out and bested his 2024 Cy Young performance in 2025, driving his price tag up further in the process.

And it's not like any of that helped Detroit. According to Tigers Insider Cody Stavenhagen, an extension isn't likely. That makes sense for multiple reasons. First, why wouldn't arguably the best pitcher in the game want to offer up his services on the open market? Second, when was the last time Scott Boras allowed a client with Skubal's pedigree to settle for an extension? Never, that's when.

With that in mind, one potential trade partner for the Tigers stands out to Stavenhagen, and the package they could offer is pretty darn compelling.

Tigers Rumors: What's the best Tarik Skubal trade destination for Detroit?

Finding a trade partner won't be easy. Even if Detroit were to deal Skubal, that won't change their desire to compete in 2026. That means looking for young major league talent or at least MLB-ready prospects in return, and that's no easy feat.

Factor in that rival clubs tend to lowball teams who are dealing aces in their walk years, and finding a match will be difficult. Add in the fact that whoever hypothetically acquires Skubal has to have pockets deep enough to retain him with a record-setting contract once he hits free agency, and the list of potential trade partners is incredibly small.

In Stavenhagen's opinion, the team best equipped to offer what the Tigers would want is the New York Mets. The Mets have the richest owner in baseball in Steve Cohen, who has no problem opening his wallet, as the Juan Soto sweepstakes a year ago taught us all.

The package Stavenhagen proposes would be starters Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat, in addition to 2B/SS/CF Jett Williams coming to Detroit in exchange for Skubal.

The Mets have a strong farm system overall, and all three of these guys rank in their top five. Tong, 22, got some big league run this year, though he posted a 7.71 ERA in five starts, which was heavily influenced by two bad starts against the Cubs and Rangers. Sproat, 25, got four starts in which he posted a 4.79 ERA but a 2.80 FIP.

Williams is the highest-ranked of the trio, coming in as the Mets' third-best prospect. He turns 22 on Nov. 3 and reached Triple-A last season after beginning the year in Double-A. While he's only five-foot-7, he hits the ball in the air often with authority, tallying 17 homers in 130 games between both levels. Additionally, he possesses blazing speed, stealing 34 bags in total. Combined with Max Clark, the Tigers could have a track meet on their hands for the foreseeable future.

Most importantly, Tong, Sproat, and Williams could all fill big league roles next season and help the Tigers contend.

Losing Skubal would sting, but this might be the best possible return and, in all honesty, it isn't half bad. In fact, if all three youngsters reach their ceilings, Detroit might be even more formidable than it currently is with Skubal.