By Zach PressnellShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Detroit Tigers have a huge decision to make with superstar ace Tarik Skubal. Skubal is entering the final year of his contract, and it seems like he's unlikely to land a new deal in Detroit. At this point, a trade could make a lot more sense than holding him and losing him in free agency.
The Boston Red Sox could fit for Skubal. They have a massive hole in their rotation that could be filled by the league's best pitcher. The Red Sox also have plenty of prospects and trade chips to move in a blockbuster deal for Skubal.
Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer recently predicted the Tigers would trade Skubal to the Red Sox in a blockbuster move this winter.
..."Even though Skubal is likely to earn close to $20 million in his last year before free agency, Baseball Trade Values puts his surplus value at a little over $60 million," Rymer wrote. "That's close to twice as much surplus value as Corbin Burnes had when the Milwaukee Brewers rented him out to the Baltimore Orioles two winters ago, so the Tigers have every right to not move Skubal unless they get everything they ask for.
"To this end, multiple top-100 prospects would be a must. The Tigers could also try to replace him in their 2026 rotation, either with an MLB-ready prized pitching prospect or someone who already has No. 1 credentials in the bigs."
Skubal would be the huge addition the Red Sox need to close the gap in the American League East. This trade would effectively give Boston the top two pitchers in the AL.
The Red Sox could make this move, but they'd need to re-sign him to a new deal that would keep him in Boston for the next seven to 10 years.
The idea makes sense, but a Skubal trade is seemingly unlikely because of how incredible he is.
More MLB: Phillies Star Projected To Sign Blockbuster 4-Year, $125 Million Deal
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