Start creating those Photoshopped images of Tarik Skubal in other teams’ jerseys.
The two-time and back-to-back AL Cy Young winner is “likely” to be traded, according to an ESPN article detailing takeaways from the just-completed winter meetings in Orlando.
The Post’s Jon Heyman reported that others believe Skubal, 29, will be traded with one year left on his contract before he likely attempts to sign the richest pitching contract in MLB history.
There had been uncertainty earlier this season about whether the Tigers would actually listen on Skubal, but it seems that tone has changed especially in light of comments made by Detroit top baseball executive Scott Harris at the meetings in Orlando.
“I don’t believe in untouchable players at any level,” Harris told MLB Network on Monday, according to ESPN. “It’s not a commentary on Tarik; it’s more of a blanket approach to building a winning organization. My job is to make this organization better … which means that I need to listen to every opportunity, no matter how likely or unlikely it is to actually happen. I’ve got to listen because we’ve got to get better as an organization, so that’s our approach.
“We don’t have everything figured out, but it’s led to a ton of success in a very short period of time. And I can stand here and credibly say that we have both a bright present and a bright future, and this approach has led to that.”
The Tigers are seemingly giving indications that they may move Skubal since they risk potentially losing him for just draft pick compensation this offseason.
Heyman previously reported the parties had a gap of roughly $250 million, which would require a massive change in Detroit’s approach if it wishes to retain him.
While Detroit has shown at times it can be a player for top free agents, there wouldn’t be such a gap if the Tigers planned to be competitive with say the Mets, Dodgers or Yankees next winter.
The prudent move then would be to trade Skubal now since it’s easy to project Detroit would receive more in a trade than the picks it would land after he turns down the qualifying offer.
The Mets figured to be a team that could make a strong offer for Skubal, although it seems the Dodgers land about everyone nowadays.
It’s fair to assume the teams that would have the most interest would be those with the ability to extend Skubal, who may look to top Yoshinobu Yamomoto’s $325 million record for non two-way pitchers.
Skubal would instantly upgrade any team’s ceiling, having posted a 2.30 ERA over the last two years with a 31-10 ERA spanning 62 starts.
He’s struck out 469 batters in 387 1/3 innings.
“I can’t, and I won’t, speculate on trades for our own players,” Harris told MLB Network, per ESPN. “Like, it’s just not fair to the players. It’s not fair to the other teams. And the second thing is, there are 25 other guys in our locker room — twenty-five guys that are busting their butts to play on the field, and it takes all of us to actually get to the postseason. It’s not a commentary on Tarik. It’s the organizational ethos we have. It’s going to take all of us, it’s going to take every little thing, to get to the postseason.
“Listen, Tarik’s a Tiger right now. We’re thrilled he’s a Tiger. … He’s a huge part of what we’re doing right now.”
