Phillies trade rumor with Tarik Skubal from MLB execs is very intriguing

The Philadelphia Phillies are heading towards the 2026 MLB trade deadline, which is under two weeks away, with a few clear needs.

One of those needs is the starting rotation, with a better No. 5 starter a priority for the team. But the Phillies might not simply settle for a depth rotation arm. Instead, the Phillies could shoot for the top trade target.

Rival MLB execs believe that the Phillies will be involved in the Tarik Skubal trade market, according to Katie Woo, Patrick Mooney, and Will Sammon of The Athletic.

Phillies believed to be interested in Tarik Skubal trade

"But considering the collective age of their core players - and Dave Dobmrowski's penchant for going all-in - rival executives assume the Phillies have interest in Skubal," The Athletic trio writes.

One rival National League executive went a step further, saying, "I don't put anything past Dombrowski. He will be in it. I don't know if he has the chips. But I don't put it past him."

Dave Dombrowski hasn't made many of those big moves at the deadline, though last year he acquired Jhoan Duran in a blockbuster deal with the Minnesota Twins, and that's worked wonders.

If the Phillies could make it work, trading for Skubal seems like a real possibility. Of course, that's much easier said than done.

The cost of a deal might price the Phillies out, as their weaker farm system might not be enough to acquire Skubal in a deal with the Detroit Tigers.

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But it won't be for a lack of effort. Dombrowski is believed to be in on Skubal in the trade market by rival executives, and it wouldn't be a shocker if they swung a deal for the left-handed Cy Young ace.

Pairing him with Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, and Jesus Luzardo would give the Phillies the best rotation in MLB, regardless of what they get from the No. 5 spot, which would be Aaron Nola.

Adding Skubal in a deal will prove difficult for the Phillies, but Dombrowski is seemingly going to make an effort if Skubal is on the trade block.

This trade rumor from The Athletic trio, and these rival MLB executives, is a very intriguing one for Phillies fans. Dombrowski could land the biggest fish at the deadline in Skubal, and it seems like it wouldn't be a total shocker.

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