When the Detroit Tigers decided to move on from Tarik Skubal, it felt like a decision that would be criticized almost instantly. A small-market team having one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball, if not the best by a wide margin, and letting him go typically isn't going to be received well by the fan base. 

However, the Tigers also got a pretty good return for themselves in the trade.

As Skubal hits free agency this offseason, there's a strong expectation that he won't return to Detroit, largely because of the price. However, the latest report from MLB.com suggests that Skubal could be interested in returning to the organization. 

He has always seemed to love Detroit, though playing for a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers offers him other benefits. 

Whether it's money or a better chance to win, Skubal can enjoy himself in Los Angeles and be a bit closer to home after growing up in Hayward, California.

Whether he returns to Los Angeles or joins another team, the latest report suggests he would love to return to the Tigers, though Detroit isn't expected to enter a bidding war.

“Although Detroit made the difficult decision to move Skubal before the Trade Deadline, the pitcher said he “would love to return” to the Tigers as a free agent. Could the Tigers shock the world by trading Skubal for three prospects in early August, then bringing him back with a monster free-agent deal only a few months later? 

“It seems unlikely that the Tigers will get involved in a bidding war, so if Skubal is determined to get every last dollar, it probably won’t result in a return to the Motor City,” Mark Feinsand wrote.

A player of Skubal's caliber will likely look for the biggest deal, especially since he's represented by super agent Scott Boras. 

However, Skubal still has the final say. The question is whether the Tigers are going to come in with a respectable offer. If he's looking at $400 million to $500 million, can Detroit at least get to about $350 million to land the left-handed ace? 

That's the question that's likely going to come up.

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