One of the biggest storylines hanging over the offseason was if the Detroit Tigers would consider moving two time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
With only one season left on Skubal’s current contract, rival executives around the league may be skeptical that Detroit will lock the left hander into a long term, record setting extension. That uncertainty has naturally fueled trade speculation across Major League Baseball.
Among the teams that have explored a deal are the New York Mets. Tim Capurso of Sports Illustrated have recently suggested that landing Skubal would require the Mets to part with a massive prospect package, potentially involving four of their most prized young players.
In Capurso’s proposal, the Mets would send pitching prospects Jonah Tong, Brandon Sproat, and Jack Wenninger to Detroit, along with middle infielder Jett Williams.
“New York would likely have to part with at least three top 10 prospects and another highly touted young arm,” Capurso wrote.
“In this deal, the Tigers, starving for young pitching prospects in their farm system, land two MLB ready arms in Tong and Sproat, as well as a promising youngster in Wenninger. Williams, who may not have a clear path to the majors after the Marcus Semien deal, could find an easier lane to the majors in Detroit.”
The idea raises an obvious question. Which team would truly benefit most from a trade of this magnitude?
From Detroit’s perspective, moving Skubal now would be a painful blow for the fan base. He has become the face of the rotation and a rare homegrown ace. Still, the disappointment could be even greater if Skubal walks away in free agency next winter with no return at all.
If the Tigers do decide to deal their top starter, the front office would need confidence that the incoming players can contribute at the Major League level soon. A package built around Mets prospects could provide exactly that, giving Detroit valuable depth and a path to staying competitive in the American League.
For New York, Skubal would immediately slot in as the unquestioned ace of the rotation. Even so, acquiring him would not suddenly make the Mets the clear favorites in the National League. They would also be sacrificing a significant portion of their future for just one guaranteed year of control over Skubal.