Tigers’ perfect trade offer for Joe Ryan after Tarik Skubal injury

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Tigers’ perfect trade offer for Joe Ryan after Tarik Skubal injury

Douglas Fritz, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Thu, May 7, 2026 ·

5 min read

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The Detroit Tigers got good news about pitcher Tarik Skubal ’s surgery. But they still keep getting hit by injuries . Maybe they can find help to bridge the gap. And here is the Tigers ’ perfect offer for Joe Ryan after the Skubal injury.

They have a losing record at 18-20, but the Tigers are still in the AL Central race. It is one of the weakest divisions in baseball so far. So there’s time to get things right with a key trade.

The Tigers now have Framber Valdez as their top starter. Jack Flaherty could hold down the fort at No. 2 for the time being.

However, getting an arm like Joe Ryan could be a big stabilizing force.

Tigers should trade for SP Joe Ryan

There was concern about Ryan’s health recently. He exited his most recent start with elbow soreness. However, his bullpen session on Wednesday looked solid. And he’s on track to start Saturday.

Ryan said he was pleased the setback won’t sideline him, according to USA Today.

“Any time you dodge a bullet, you’re grateful for every day you get to come in and put the jersey on,” Ryan said. “That’s part of being in the big leagues – understanding that. I try to embrace that and not take anything for granted.

“Every day you get to do that, it’s a blessing. I think a little bit extra when you have a little bit of a scare like that.”

Ryan will turn 30 years old this summer. He has built a good body of work. Good enough that the Tigers would be willing to consider making a deal for him.

It’s easy to see the Tigers making a big move. Their division is very winnable. And they’re considered one of the top teams in Major League Baseball, according to ESPN. They are ranked No. 8 in the latest power poll.

“The Tigers entered the season with what looked like a strong, veteran-laden starting rotation appropriate for a team with World Series aspirations,” Bradford Doolittle wrote. “While those hopes linger, the start of the season has seen the rotation plan fall apart because of injuries ( Tarik Skubal , Casey Mize and Justin Verlander ), subpar performance (Jack Flaherty and Framber Valdez), and squirrelly behavior (Valdez).

“Thus, in what has become an annual ritual, manager A.J. Hinch will have to piece things together for the time being while hoping that Skubal’s elbow procedure proves to be a simple cleanup.”

Skubal is a big part of the assessment. And while he’s out, the Tigers are hopeful he will still make a significant impact before the season is over. That means they can go ahead with working their roster into postseason form.

Adding an established starting pitcher is almost always a good move in that direction.

There would be one hesitation with an immediate move. The Twins are taking a wait-and-see attitude with Ryan for his upcoming start, according to The Athletic.

“There will be a watchful eye,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “The first thing you want with any of your players, or especially your pitchers, is if they feel something, especially in their arm, we want them to communicate it. We want to make sure we’re not going to put him in harm’s way. We will carefully monitor this situation.

“The one really great thing about Joe is he is probably in tune with his body as any player I’ve ever been around. He can articulate really well what he’s feeling. … We will be very aware.”

Who would the Tigers need to send to the Twins?

With Minnesota getting close to a full rebuild, they might be willing to take younger players. That would help the Tigers’ cause.

They could package outfielder Cris Rodriguez and shortstop Jordan Yost to the Twins. Rodriguez is an 18-year-old with lots of promise, according to MLB.com.

“Like many power hitters signed from the international market, Rodriguez has a hyperaggressive approach that destroys fastballs, earning him comparisons to Eloy Jiménez and Aaron Judge ,” MLB wrote. “He generates leverage by utilizing a front-foot stride from the box, combining pop with outstanding bat speed.

“Not surprising for a teenager, his approach at the plate is raw with adjustments needed against quality breaking pitches. His strikeout rate in the DSL was reasonable, but his low walk rate was surprising for someone who drew solid reviews for his pitch recognition.”

As for Yost, he provides elite contact ability, according to MLB.com.

“Yost’s strength is an elite ability to make contact and a strong discipline to stay within the strike zone,” MLB wrote. “His simple swing doesn’t produce much power, but there’s projection for that to follow as his body fills out. He has good speed and instincts on the basepaths and a reliable glove with good range in the field, raising belief he should be able to stick at shortstop even as his body fills out.

“Eventually, however, he might have to decide whether to sacrifice some contact and discipline for more thump.”

There’s an interesting ceiling for Yost. And these young pieces, both ranked in the top 10 of the Tigers’ farm system, might be good enough to get the Twins to part with Ryan.

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