How Tigers can trade Tarik Skubal while still contending in 2026

The Detroit Tigers are facing a very tricky question this season, as the future of Tarik Skubal is a major inflection point for the franchise both in 2026 and beyond.

On one hand, trading him for a haul could set the team up for success in the future. But trading him would mean giving up on 2026, and it wouldn't be a good look for the team to trade someone as good as Skubal, either.

However, Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic revealed the way the Tigers could trade Skubal this season while still contending in 2026, and bringing back the kind of return to set themselves up for long-term success.

How Tigers can trade Tarik Skubal but still contend in 2026

"The way they would do it, according to two rival executives briefed on the Tigers' thinking, is by trading Skubal for a controllable starting pitching plus quality prospects," Rosenthal and Sammon write.

This concept is an intriguing one, as it'd give the Tigers an MLB-caliber pitching for the 2026 season and beyond, but also a prospect return to help the team in the future.

Not every team has the kind of pitching talent that fits that description, but the duo from The Athletic identified a few pitchers who could fill this need for the Tigers.

Tampa Bay Rays' Ian Seymour, Philadelphia Phillies' Andrew Painter, Los Angeles Dodgers' Emmet Sheehan, Milwaukee Brewers' Logan Henderson, Will Warren, or Ryan Weathers from the New York Yankees, and JR Ritchie or AJ Smith-Shawver from the Atlanta Braves could fill this role in a trade for the Tigers.

Those pitchers alone won't be enough for the Tigers to move Skubal, but if they were part of a package to Detroit alongside some top-tier prospects, then the Tigers might feel more inclined to a trade.

MORE: Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani injury update essentially ends Cy Young chances

Parting with Skubal at the 2026 MLB trade deadline but still competing for a postseason spot this season won't be easy. But the Tigers could aim for such an outcome this season, especially if they add an MLB-ready pitcher in a trade.

Skubal is going to receive heavy interest at this year's trade deadline, and the Tigers have reason to seriously entertain offers, even if they are still fringe contenders.

Rosenthal and Sammon revealing how the Tigers could trade Skubal but still contend in 2026 might be the best-case scenario for the Tigers at this point.

It's hard to imagine this team as serious World Series contenders, so trading Skubal would make sense. This kind of return, an MLB-ready controllable young pitcher plus prospects, would be a huge help for the Tigers in 2026 and well into the future.

More MLB news:

• Braves injury update on Spencer Strider has execs ‘pessimistic’ about a 2026 return
• White Sox have strong interest in Mets’ Clay Holmes with scout attending rehab assignment
• Yankees send scouts to Cubs vs. Twins series amid trade interest in three players
• Phillies ‘would love’ to trade for Mets reliever Luke Weaver
• MLB execs believe Padres will trade Mason Miller at trade deadline