Coming off a playoff run, Craig Breslow has made it clear that the Boston Red Sox are expected to focus on strengthening their starting rotation this offseason. The club acquired Garrett Crochet a year ago, and Breslow emphasized that any arm they pursue now must be capable of joining him near the top of the rotation. Crochet has established himself as a true ace, finishing as the runner-up for the American League Cy Young Award, so any potential addition would need to match or exceed the impact of Crochet or current number two starter Brayan Bello. That raises an obvious question: could they target the only American League pitcher who outperformed Crochet last season?
Tarik Skubal fits that description, and reports indicate that he and the Detroit Tigers remain distant in their contract discussions. His name has surfaced frequently in trade speculation, and although he would be a strong fit for Boston, Skubal addressed those rumors during an appearance on “Foul Territory.” He commented, “The way social media is, it’s hard not to see things about yourself. Especially when it’s talking about trades and hypotheticals. At the end of the day, it’s not going to impact who I am on a day-to-day basis. It’s not going to impact the way I’m going to work out or prepare to get my body ready for next season. It’s all out of my control. It’s not like I want to be traded, so it’s kind of like, why am I in these conversations to begin with?”
Skubal has one more season before reaching free agency, and part of the reason for the escalating chatter is the expectation that he may become the highest-paid pitcher in the sport. The Tigers have not traditionally spent at that level, and projections suggest that Skubal’s next contract could approach a total value of four hundred million dollars. With reports already noting significant distance between the two sides in negotiations, it is not surprising that trade scenarios are circulating. Skubal also remarked on how unreliable some of the public reporting about his contract demands may be, saying, “I don’t really know where they come up with these numbers” during his “Foul Territory” appearance.
While Skubal would be an exceptional addition for the Red Sox, he has made it clear that he has not asked to be moved and has no desire to be traded. Even so, that stance may not prevent Detroit from exploring the market if the organization believes it cannot extend him once he becomes available to all bidders. In that case, the Tigers could survey potential trade packages to maximize value before he departs.
If Boston intends to land a top-tier starter, Skubal is a logical name to investigate. Still, he is not their only potential solution. Other frontline options such as Dylan Cease, Ranger Suarez and Framber Valdez are expected to be available, giving the Red Sox multiple avenues to pursue an ace. Even so, few pitchers could match the impact Skubal would bring. Regardless of his availability, the team’s need for an elite starter remains unchanged.