4 reasons why Brewers won't trade for Tigers' Tarik Skubal

The Milwaukee Brewers are a very fascinating team at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, as they could end up pursuing some of the top players available or go bargain-bin hunting.

At the higher-end of the spectrum are Mason Miller and Tarik Skubal, a closer and starter who are among the best at their respective positions. The Brewers need both spots, and would be a great landing spot for either pitcher this summer.

But, regarding Skubal, USA Today's Bob Nightengale revealed four reasons why a Skubal-to-Milwaukee trade likely isn't going to happen.

4 reasons why Brewers won't trade for Tarik Skubal

"They simply don't believe that Skubal will be the magic elixir for all of their needs," Nightengale writes. "They still need a power bat. They could use another late-inning reliever. They could use someone to step up and be that solid No. 3 starter. Simply, there's too much risk for the Brewers to take on Skubal when they know they're going to be in the postseason, anyway."

Even though Skubal to the Brewers would be a very fun fit, as the two-time Cy Young winner pairing up with likely NL Cy Young winner Jacob Misiorowski and breakout lefty Kyle Harrison would be great, the risk might be too great.

The cost of acquiring Skubal is going to be very high, even for a rental starter who's making $32 million this season. Skubal is just that good.

If the Brewers don't believe Skubal will be the kind of addition that gets them past the Los Angeles Dodgers, then trading a fortune for him, potentially mortgaging the future, wouldn't be worth it.

MORE: Tigers expected to trade Tarik Skubal but still try to contend without him

Add in that the Brewers' needs at the deadline are more extensive than another starter. Alongside one more SP, the Brewers need a power-hitter and a late-inning reliever.

Sure, adding Skubal would be great, but if they spend a lot of their resources on a trade for Skubal, it might be difficult to upgrade those other areas of need this summer without parting with some truly valuable prospects.

Between the need for a No. 3 starter, a slugger, and a late-inning reliever, along with Nightengale noting the Brewers don't believe Skubal will be the fix for their issues, it might be hard to imagine they wind up trading for the Tigers ace.

But, even if the Brewers end up passing on Skubal, they could still make some fun additions at the trade deadline. And it's too soon to count them out of the Skubal sweepstakes as well, as they could change their mind and go all-in for 2026.

More MLB news:

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• Red Sox ‘would love’ to trade for Angels’ Zach Neto or Astros’ Jeremy Pena
• Giants willing to trade Heliot Ramos in big news for many MLB clubs
• Padres likely not to trade Mason Miller amid latest update
• Mets ‘desperate’ to trade Luis Robert Jr. after trade failure