Tigers criticized over Tarik Skubal trade by MLB execs for ridiculous reason

At the 2026 MLB trade deadline, the Detroit Tigers made the massive decision to trade away Tarik Skubal in a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers for Zyhir Hope, River Ryan, and Brady Smith.

It was a massive move, and they followed it up with a trade of Casey Mize on deadline day to the San Diego Padres. After those two moves, arguably their two best pitchers were dealt away, despite the Tigers still being in the postseason hunt.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale shared that the Tigers were criticized by MLB execs for this decision, thanks to the Tigers' being in range of the postseason. But it's a ridiculous set of complaints, as trading Skubal was the best path forward for this franchise.

Tigers receive ridiculous criticism for Tarik Skubal trade from MLB execs

"The Tigers are also being criticized by their peers for even trading Skubal and Mize, knowing how weak the AL Central is this year," Nightengale writes.

Nightengale also shared that one MLB exec said, "It's going to be embarrassing to them if they make the playoffs, knowing that if they got in with Skubal and Mize, they could be playing in the World Series. They gave up any chance to go deep."

While yes, the Tigers did give up Mize and Skubal, effectively tanking their odds of going on a deep postseason run, this club has too many other issues that could hinder their path to the World Series, if they even get into the playoffs.

The bullpen has been a bit shaky this season, and the offense can be stagnant at times. Besides, even with both of those starters gone, they still can send out a postseason rotation of Framber Valdez, Troy Melton, and Jackson Jobe.

MORE: Tigers feared Tarik Skubal’s trade market would disappear if they waited too long to trade him

Jack Flaherty, Keider Montero, Drew Anderson, and maybe even Justin Verlander or River Ryan could factor into the postseason rotation as well for Detroit. It's not as elite as it could be with Mize and Skubal, but it's not a bad group either.

Even if they do make the postseason, which isn't a guarantee, making it to the World Series with the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees in the postseason field isn't going to be easy.

But, one of the biggest reasons why this complaint from rival MLB executives is a bit ridiculous is that the future of the franchise depended on what Skubal's future would be. If they could land a haul for him, the Tigers could be set up for success beyond 2026.

MORE: Yankees ‘dabbled’ in trade talks for Tarik Skubal despite not willing to deal George Lombard Jr.

Keeping Skubal and Mize through the deadline, and failing to win a World Series, would be a complete disaster, with both pitchers likely to leave in free agency.

It might not be a popular decision, but trading both Mize and Skubal at the 2026 MLB trade deadline was the right call. Arguably, they should've also sent Gleyber Torres, Kyle Finnegan, Kenley Jansen, and some other rentals out in trades this summer as well.

So, while these rival executives have an issue with the Tigers trading Mize and Skubal this summer, it was the right decision for the future of the franchise, even if the Tigers somehow make the postseason and have a real chance at the World Series this year.

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