An anonymous National League executive just dropped a bombshell, saying the Detroit Tigers' asking price for ace Tarik Skubal is gonna be absolutely "outrageous." This isn't just some rumor mill nonsense; it’s a real exec, and what he’s saying about Skubal possibly staying put changes *everything* for our Mariners, who are clinging to a wild-card spot right now.
Skubal's Cy Young Credentials and Mid-Season Comeback
Let's talk about why everyone wants this guy. Skubal, a 29-year-old lefty, has won back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards. Yeah, you read that right: a 2.39 ERA in 2024 and a 2.21 ERA in 2025. That’s elite, folks. He started this season strong, even after missing over a month with loose bodies in his pitching elbow. Since coming back last month, he's still putting up numbers: 5-5 with a 3.09 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts across 75.2 innings through 13 starts. He's easily the biggest trade chip out there, and any team that gets him instantly becomes a World Series contender.Detroit's Tightrope Walk with Their Ace
Here's where it gets complicated for Detroit and super interesting for us in the Emerald City. The Tigers were way out of it, but now? They're only 6.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox for the AL Central lead. And this is the kicker: they're just 3.5 games behind *our* Seattle Mariners for a wild-card spot! The expanded playoffs mean teams stay in the race longer, and Detroit might actually believe they can make a run with Skubal. But he's in the final year of his contract. Imagine losing a back-to-back Cy Young winner for absolutely nothing in free agency. That's what happened to the Angels with Shohei Ohtani, missing the playoffs and getting zero prospects in return. The Tigers are playing with fire.Why That 'Outrageous' Price Tag Is Stalling Everything
That NL exec wasn't kidding about the price. He said the "early asks are going to be outrageous," and "no one's going to pay that." He specifically referenced what the Cubs did for Aroldis Chapman when they were trying to break a 108-year curse, noting that kind of "overly aggressive" deal isn't really happening anymore, especially "going into a new CBA." So, the Tigers want the moon, but the market isn't there. This stalemate means Skubal could stay, making the Tigers a tougher opponent breathing down our necks, or he could move for less than they want, potentially shifting the AL power balance in a major way. This whole Skubal situation is a major storyline for the American League, and it hits close to home for our M's. With the Aug. 3 trade deadline looming, are the Tigers gonna blink? Will a team pony up a "middle ground" offer? What happens with Skubal directly impacts the wild card chase, and that means it directly impacts us. Every move matters right now. Go M's!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.