Why Braves 'perfect' trade deadline target is Tigers' Tarik Skubal

The Atlanta Braves are 3.0 games up on the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East, which has shrunk over the last month or so. With the Braves falling back a bit, they clearly need a spark.

While the return of Ronald Acuna Jr. to the lineup should help, the Braves also really need to upgrade their rotation. Spencer Strider might be done for the season, and Spencer Schwellenbach is also a bit of a question mark.

With starting pitching a clear need, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report identified Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal as the "perfect" trade deadline target for the Braves this summer.

Braves would be a 'perfect' fit for Tarik Skubal for simple reasons

"Atlanta Braves (96.7% postseason odds): LHP Tarik Skubal," Miller writes. "Surely, though, Braves GM Alex Anthopolous is tirelessly working the phones to figure out the best arm tentatively available, because they need someone other than Chris Sale who can start a postseason game."

With the Braves in clear need of a pitching upgrade in the rotation, the best option on the market in Skubal is an obvious player to consider.

But, he'd be the "perfect" option for the Braves because they have the financial ability to take on the remainder of his $32 million contract, and the trade assets to land the ace from the Tigers.

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Detroit will ask for a king's ransom, and the Braves have plenty of young pitchers in JR Ritchie, Cam Caminiti, and Didier Fuentes as options to include in a deal.

Simply put, if the Tigers are shopping or seriously entertaining offers for Skubal, the Braves would be one of the best fits possible.

Sure, it will cost a lot, but pairing Skubal with Sale would give the Braves two of the best, if not the best, left-handed pitchers in Major League Baseball.

With a dire need for another starting pitcher who can be trusted in the postseason, and their ability to afford him, Skubal would be a "perfect" trade target for the Braves this summer at the MLB trade deadline.

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