Scott Harris has the hand to spark a bidding war. As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Tigers are in possession of the pitcher that two of the most prospect-rich teams in baseball desire.
The Orioles and Dodgers, both armed with deep farm systems, have Tarik Skubal at the top of their respective shopping lists, per Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci. And both clubs are "interested in putting together packages loaded with top prospects" for the Tigers' ace:
There is no indication yet whether Harris will move Skubal, though both Los Angeles and Baltimore have the rich prospect capital to make such a trade discussion interesting.
Skubal, 27, has been the best pitcher in baseball this season. He's drawing trade interest, even as he tries to tune it out, because the Tigers are likely still a couple years from legitimate contention and he's set to become a free agent after the 2026 season. He could land them the bats that they lack.
Harris, in his second year as the Tigers president of baseball operations, is not inclined to trade the team's best player, per Verducci:
Harris believes the Tigers have a developing pitching corps that is the center of the team’s rebuild and does not want to disrupt it ... The source said it is doubtful the Tigers move Skubal but added, “Everything has a price.”
The Nationals traded superstar Juan Soto to the Padres at the 2022 deadline when Soto, like Skubal now, still had 2.5 team years of control on his contract. The Nats got back four of the Padres' top nine prospects, including now All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams and current No. 2 overall prospect outfielder James Wood.
The Orioles have the best farm system in baseball, featuring three top-15 prospects per MLB Pipeline: Triple-A shortstop Jackson Holliday, Double-A catcher/first baseman Sammy Basallo and Triple-A corner infielder Coby Mayo.
Baltimore, per Verducci, "is loaded with enough quality hitters to build a package (for Skubal) without including" Holliday, the top prospect in baseball. Outfielder Heston Kjertsad, who's in the majors but injured, and High-A outfielder Enrique Bradfield could also entice the Tigers.
The Dodgers also have a heralded farm system. It's not quite as deep as Baltimore's, but it does feature two highly-regarded hitters in Double-A catcher/first baseman Dalton Rushing and High-A outfielder Jose De Paula. They also have young position players already in the majors who could draw Detroit's attention in Miguel Vargas and Andy Pages.
If either one of those teams comes calling with the prospects above, it will be enough to at least make Harris think. If they both come calling, he just might hit the jackpot.