Tigers made Tarik Skubal's future clear in worst way possible with sour ending vs Orioles

Tarik Skubal doesn't have to go. The Tigers front office has a choice. Do they trade their best player — a true ace who has symbolized the come-up and a new era in Detroit professional sports altogether — for controllable pitching talent and some prospects that typically reach the majors at a 33% hit rate? Or should they keep Skubal, who's given everything he has to the motor city, in hopes of one last run? I will not kid myself, or fool our readers, into thinking there's even the slightest of chances the Tigers keep Skubal past this winter. Chris Ilitch and Scott Harris have made their intentions clear, assets and all. It is that god-awful word that put the Tigers in this position to begin with.

Wednesday's result, win or lose, likely wouldn't have impacted the Tigers approach to Monday's trade deadline. if we're being honest, it probably shouldn't have. A front office that's on the edge of its seat at every move is little more than a fanbase, and we are not qualified to run MLB teams, as much as we wish that were the case. Yet, for one random Wednesday matinee in Detroit, it felt like we controlled the narrative. That is, until AJ Hinch pulled Skubal (rightly) to go to the Tigers bullpen, which did what the Tigers bullpen always does when we have hope.

Tigers meltdown against the Orioles puts Tarik Skubal rumors in perspective

Skubal's start was more than good enough. He threw nearly seven innings of three-run ball, though the bullpen inherited two of the runners and let them score. The rest was predictable. Whether it be Jose Valverde or Joaquin Benoit in the postseason, or Joel Zumaya in a badass game of Guitar Hero. We know what happens when the Tigers bullpen is tasked to do anything truly meaningful over the last three decades.

10-9. That's the final score of Skubal's last start. The two-time Cy Young winner not only deserved to win, but to do so on his terms. If I showed any Tigers fans a 10-9 final score of a random regular-season game just a few weeks ago, they would not have guessed Skubal made that start. Do you understand where I'm going here?

Skubal is preparing for his move. He's sitting on a mattress without its bed frame. Surrounded by boxes and some loose trash, he wonders what's next. What's on the horizon? What of the career he's leaving behind in Detroit? Was this all for nothing? The answer is, predictably, of course not.

Where Tigers ace Tarik Skubal might land

Skubal's signed his new lease. He's booked the U-haul. The movers are on their way. All that's left is to find out where, exactly, he is going. The Dodgers, Brewers and Rays have emerged as the popular favorites. The Yankees, Braves and Phillies linger not far behind. These are not all the usual suspects, and we can only hope Skubal goes somewhere he is valued, rather than becomes just another cog in an engine.

The Tigers' asking price is reportedly a controllable starting pitcher and prospect capital in return. That won't be easy to achieve for every team, but the task of keeping the Dodgers from a World Series three-peat should linger on the minds of every other contender mentioned on this list.

Skubal's had an immense impact in Detroit since 2020. He is my favorite player, and it's not easy to write about his trade options, no matter how many times I do it. Few starting pitchers have replicated CC Sabathia's 2008 run with the Milwaukee Brewers. Heck, even those Brewers didn't reach the World Series, as many general MLB fans are quick to forget. If any true ace could come close, it's Skubal. Any team that acquires him will not regret that they did, no matter the lottery tickets sent back in return.

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