There are very few teams across Major League Baseball with the prospect depth and major league talent necessary to even entertain a trade for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
The Philadelphia Phillies are widely viewed as one of those rare clubs capable of assembling a compelling offer. With a strong farm system and an established core of productive big leaguers, Philadelphia has the resources to at least enter the conversation if Detroit were to seriously consider moving its top arm.
In a recent trade speculation column, Bleacher Report proposed one hypothetical move for each of the 30 MLB teams. In that exercise, the Phillies were identified as the team that could land the game’s most coveted pitcher, suggesting a blockbuster scenario in which Philadelphia acquires Skubal from the Detroit Tigers.
The idea stems largely from Philadelphia’s current competitive window. The Phillies parted ways with Ranger Suárez this past offseason and must also begin planning for the eventual decline or departure of ace Zack Wheeler in the coming years. With several cornerstone players advancing in age, the organization appears firmly entrenched in a championship-or-bust mindset. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer framed it not just as a “win-now” phase, but more of a “must-win-now” situation given the timeline of their veteran core.
From Detroit’s perspective, any Skubal trade would require an overwhelming return. The left-hander, who has developed into one of baseball’s premier starters and a Cy Young-caliber performer, would command a massive haul. For Philadelphia, that likely begins with top pitching prospect Andrew Painter. Long regarded as one of the most talented young arms in the minors, Painter would almost certainly have to headline any serious proposal.
But a single elite prospect would not be enough. The Tigers would likely demand additional high-upside talent. Outfielder Justin Crawford could be another name Detroit would target, given his athleticism and long-term potential. The conversation could also extend to young major league contributors such as Alec Bohm or Bryson Stott, depending on how aggressive the Phillies are willing to be. In total, it’s reasonable to assume that a five-player package blending MLB-ready pieces and premium prospects might be necessary to pry Skubal away.
Complicating matters is Skubal’s contract situation. He is set to reach free agency after the season, which could incentivize Detroit to explore offers if there are doubts about securing him long term. Trading him now would allow the Tigers to maximize their return rather than risk losing him for a lesser compensation package later.
On the other hand, Detroit’s recent decision to sign Framber Valdez to a significant extension could influence its long-term rotation planning and potentially make the front office more open to reshaping the roster.
Ultimately, while this remains speculative, the Phillies have both the urgency and the assets to make a bold push. Whether they would be willing to pay the steep price required for Tarik Skubal is the true question looming over any potential blockbuster.
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