Now Tigers, Try To Sign Tarik Skubal

The Detroit Tigers jettisoned three veteran players before the Major League Baseball (MLB) trade deadline on Tuesday.

They sent starting pitcher Jack Flaherty to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pair of prospects.  They also sent relief pitcher Andrew Chafin to the Texas Rangers for two minor leaguers and utilityman Mark Canha to the San Francisco Giants for a minor league pitcher.

Get our free mobile app

So the Tigers are once again sellers at the trade deadline.  They have clearly shown that they are not good enough to contend for at least a Wild Card spot in the American League.

But they didn't trade their best player...they didn't trade Tarik Skubal (pictured above).

And because of that, the Tigers, IMO, need to try to sign the Cy Young candidate to a contract extension.

Notice I said "try" because Skubal's asking price keeps going up by the day.  Remember, he's represented by "The Extortionist" in baseball agent Scott Boras.  And he is having his best season as a pro (12-3 with 154 K's and a 2.35 ERA in 130 innings pitched).  Skubal could win the American League Cy Young Award.  So, he's going to make a lot of money real soon.

If I were the Tigers, I would offer Skubal (and Boras) at least a five-year extension worth in excess of $200 million after this season is over.  And if they turn it down, then you have to do what the Washington Nationals did with Juan Soto...Trade him at some point next season or before he hits free agency after the 2026 season.

But at least make a legitimate attempt to sign him.  Anything less than a five-year deal and it's an insult to them.  But show the fans (and the media) that you tried to bring him back longterm.  That way you have no regrets as an organization either way.

What do you think?  Let us know in the comments!