Tigers predicted to trade for $21M Cy Young winner, 2-time All-Star after Tarik Skubal injury

The Detroit Tigers have one of, if not the best, starting pitchers in all of baseball. However, they are currently at a contract standstill with Tarik Skubal, who is widely viewed as the top arm in the American League. The gap between the two sides financially is substantial.

“The Tigers and superstar pitcher Tarik Skubal have a lot of work to do if they’re going to bridge quite possibly the biggest gap in MLB negotiating history: an estimated quarter of a billion dollars. Yep, that’s not a misprint. It’s close to $250 million,” New York Post’s Jon Heyman wrote.

Skubal was off to another strong start for the Tigers this season, but disaster struck when it was announced he would undergo elbow surgery.

“Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will undergo surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow. Such procedures typically sideline players for 2-3 months. The two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner is expected to return well before the end of the regular season, but the first-place Tigers lose their No. 1 for a significant chunk of time,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote.

Now, there is a clear need for starting pitching to help hold down the rotation until Skubal returns. That could involve making a trade. One name the Tigers could check in on is former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara.

“The Marlins could shop Sandy Alcantara this summer -- he was the most-selected player in our recent executive poll asking who would be the biggest name moved prior to the Trade Deadline -- but it would be surprising to see him traded this early. Alcantara has a $21 million club option for 2027, so he won’t come cheap,” MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand wrote.

Adding Alcantara would be a major move for Detroit. The Miami Marlins right-hander has begun to look more like himself over the first month of the season, even tossing a complete game.

Adding to the rotation would be a significant boost for Detroit, especially with a pitcher of Alcantara’s caliber. There is no doubt the Tigers will explore aggressive options to strengthen their pitching staff while they wait for Skubal’s return.

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