Tigers Rumors: Bob Nightengale names surprising frontrunner in Tarik Skubal sweepstakes

The Tigers should expect to get calls about Tarik Skubal from any number of contenders at the trade deadline, but there's been one destination that feels inevitable. Someone, somewhere definitely has a lot of money on Skubal becoming a Dodger by Aug. 3.

It just makes sense. The Dodgers already have a six-man rotation, but they don't care about redundancies if the guy they're acquiring is a two-time Cy Young winner. They have one of the best farm systems in baseball — the best, by some evaluations — and too many outfielders at the top of it. They have the young, controllable pitching talent Detroit is said to be looking for.

However, Bob Nightengale has other ideas. In a rumors roundup that (unsurprisingly) listed Skubal as the trade deadline's No. 1 mover, Nightengagle wrote, "Skubal will go, with Atlanta being the favorite according to rival executives."

The Braves? Well, okay.

Sure, the Braves have been named as "best fits" by one or two outlets, but so has basically every other contender. Even the Rays have been named as potential dark horses. This is the first time we're hearing the Atlanta might actually be serious about this.

Bob Nightengale named Braves as the current favorite to land Tarik Skubal if Tigers sell

The Braves are currently leading the NL East, but their rivals are closing in. Despite their abysmal start to the season, the Phillies have gained a ton of ground under Don Mattingly and are back by 2.5 games. The Marlins' 20-6 June was their best month in franchise history. Atlanta not only wants to hold onto that lead but presumably surpass one of the Brewers or Dodgers to earn a bye.

Chris Sale is still doing good work at the front of the Braves' rotation, and a 1-2 made up of both leagues' 2024 Cy Young winners would be terrifying.

Atlanta doesn't have the best farm system — one of the worst, actually, according to MLB Pipeline — but there will still be pieces the Tigers could mine if Alex Anthopoulos is actually serious about making a deal come Aug. 3.

The likes of the Dodgers, Yankees, and maybe even Phillies should still be counted upon to at least give Scott Harris a call, but if Nightengale's rival executive sources are to be trusted, the Braves could be making him their No. 1 trade deadline priority.

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