Why 'bad' AL Central is disaster for Tarik Skubal MLB trade deadline suitors
Why 'bad' AL Central is disaster for Tarik Skubal MLB trade deadline suitors originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Long-standing rumors about the Detroit Tigers trading Tarik Skubal have seemingly quieted.
But there will be murmurs if the Tigers fall out of contention in the AL Central. Right now, that doesn't seem likely. For now, the back-to-back Cy Young Award winner , who becomes a free agent at the end of the season, is staying put.
"The good news for interested Skubal suitors is that the Tigers are treading water so far this season. The bad news is just how bad the AL Central is," FanSided's Mark Powell wrote Sunday. "The Guardians lead the division at just a few games over .500. Detroit is well within striking distance in the American League Wild Card race, as well. That's what makes these conversations so difficult."
The last-place Minnesota Twins and first-place Cleveland Guardians are separated by just three games in the division. The Tigers and Guardians each own an 18-17 record.
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Detroit will have no incentive to trade Skubal if it doesn't dramatically fall out of the postseason picture.
"Unless the Tigers receive an offer they cannot refuse for Skubal, they'll more than likely hold onto their ace for the remainder of the year," Powell added. "Sure, Skubal will inevitably sign with a big-market team that can afford his services, but trading him away with a playoff spot on the line would be impossible to come back from for Scott Harris and the Tigers ownership."
