Brewers urged to pass on Tarik Skubal for a different trade deadline upgrade

Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers are clearly going to be buyers at this year's MLB trade deadline. Seeking upgrades for their starting rotation and the lineup, someone like Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal would make a ton of sense.

Pairing the back-to-back Cy Young Award winner with Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison would be just what this team needs.

However, MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided.com urged the Brewers to pass on a trade deadline deal for Skubal, instead targeting more offensive firepower. 

Brewers urged to skip on Tarik Skubal trade for slugger upgrade

"Tarik Skubal makes sense for the Brewers, but... Let's not forget that they need offense," Murray writes. "... But they need more slug. They need another bat."

Passing on Skubal is an unthinkable decision for any team. What club wouldn't want to add Skubal to their rotation? But, in the Brewers case this season, it might not be about passing on Skubal, but rather adding help elsewhere.

Milwaukee's entire left side of the infield is underperforming. The three options in Luis Rengifo, Joseph Ortiz, and David Hamilton aren't good enough offensively, with Hamilton's .651 OPS the best of this group, not being nearly good enough.

MORE: Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency

With Sal Frelick at a .602 OPS, Milwaukee could also use an outfield upgrade as well. Overall, it's clear the Brewers need a bit more offensive firepower this summer.

Their .727 OPS ranks ninth-best in MLB, but their pitching staff ranks fourth-best with a 3.46 ERA. This club could add to its strength by trading for Skubal, which would be a fun trade.

But, in looking to find the best way to upgrade the roster, seeing their 55 home runs this season, tied for 27th in MLB, is clearly what the Brewers need to improve upon by the August 3 trade deadline.

So, as much as adding Skubal would be incredibly exciting, Murray's urging for the team to add more help to the offense, specifically in the form of more slug, makes more sense than splurging on Skubal and not addressing this big issue.

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