Why Tigers promoted Max Clark to MLB amid Tarik Skubal trade rumors

The Detroit Tigers may be the team to watch this weekend. 

With the trade deadline on Monday, the Tigers have the most attractive trade chip if made available. 

That would be left-hander Tarik Skubal, who may have made the final start of his Tigers career on Wednesday. 

If Skubal is traded, that would indicate the Tigers have given up on their playoff hopes. Or does it? 

On Thursday, top prospect Max Clark was promoted from Triple-A Toledo. It's odd timing, considering that he will not be eligible to play in the minors next season if a lockout occurs. 

"Clark will exceed 45 days of active service, losing his rookie status, if he stays with the Tigers the rest of the way," The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Will Sammon, and Katie Woo reported. "The timing of his promotion caught the attention of at least one rival executive, who found it odd the team would add the outfielder to the 40-man roster when such a move would not have been necessary this offseason." 

The outfielder hit very well in Triple-A, slashing .276/.368/.434 with 11 home runs and a .802 OPS. 

MORE: Yankees are ‘leading candidate’ to trade for Twins’ Ryan Jeffers

Could this move be to soften the blow of Skubal's anticipated departure? 

"It seems like the Tigers believe Clark can help them win," The Athletic trio added. "If they trade Skubal for a package of young players that includes a controllable starting pitcher, they could argue — futilely, perhaps — that they are still in position to contend." 

The postseason is slowly slipping away from Detroit's reach. The Tigers are 4.5 games back of a Wild Card spot. 

It may be hard for ownership and the front office to convince Tigers fans the organization still wants to win, especially if they trade Skubal. 

More MLB news:

• Red Sox ‘would love’ to trade for Angels’ Zach Neto or Astros’ Jeremy Pena
• Giants willing to trade Heliot Ramos in big news for many MLB clubs
• Padres likely not to trade Mason Miller amid latest update
• Tigers expected to trade Tarik Skubal but still try to contend without him
• Mets ‘desperate’ to trade Luis Robert Jr. after trade failure