MLB rumors: Can Braves challenge Dodgers, Yankees for Tarik Skubal trade?

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is a hot name in the rumor mill right now, as there is some speculation the franchise may trade him before the August 3 deadline. While many believe the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are the top two teams in the mix to acquire Skubal, the Atlanta Braves make a strong case to be the organization that lands the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner instead.

MLB insider Mark Feinsand explained how big an acquisition Skubal would be to a contending franchise if the Tigers decide to trade the 29-year-old left-hander away. Detroit is still technically in the mix for a Wild Card spot, so the club trading him is not a guarantee. However, he listed the Dodgers, Yankees, and Braves as his top three landing spots for Skubal.

“The biggest fish in the trade pond, Skubal will be an immediate difference-maker for any contender that acquires him,” said Feinsand. “At 30-44, the Tigers sit 9 games back in the American League Central and 6 1/2 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot, so while it’s no sure thing Skubal gets moved, the two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner will be the top prize of trade season if he’s available.”

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Of the three, L.A. likely has the advantage over both New York and Atlanta in trading for Skubal. Not only can the Dodgers afford to offer one or two immediate impact players to Detroit, but the club also has an impressive haul of prospects to add, with seven prospects ranked within the top 100. However, five of them are outfielders, which doesn’t give the Tigers much variety in trade talks in terms of prospects.

As for the Yankees, the team is arguably the best-hitting lineup in MLB. Adding Skubal to the starting rotation gives New York a massive advantage over the rest of the American League. The front office has four top prospects within the top 72, two of which are position players and the other two are pitchers. But the Tigers may not want to deal with New York, as Detroit may not want to trade with a fellow AL organization.

That leaves the Braves. Unlike the Dodgers and Yankees, Atlanta does not have much to offer in terms of prospects. The franchise only has two prospects within the top 57 of the top 100 rankings, both of which are pitchers. Interestingly enough, they are both ranked higher than the Yankees’ prospect pitchers. That may be where Atlanta gets its advantage over Los Angeles and New York in trade talks for Tarik Skubal.

The Tigers don’t have many elite-level pitcher prospects in their farm system. Acquiring two of them would be huge for the future of the club’s starting rotation. Additionally, Detroit already has an impressive group of prospect position players. Kevin McGonigle looks like a cornerstone infielder for the long haul, while outfielder Max Clark is the No. 7 overall prospect in the top 100 rankings. That’s not including Bryce Rainer or Josue Briceno, who are expected to be big impact players once they reach the majors.

Considering the Tigers made the playoffs the past two years in a row, what the club may prefer are players who can help the team be more competitive immediately in the 2027 season, rather than some point down the road. That’s something the Braves can offer alongside their top two pitching prospects.

While nothing is set in stone, Atlanta could also add players like Spencer Strider and Didier Fuentes, who are both MLB-ready pitchers. Strider has been injury-prone in recent years, but when healthy, he is still a prominent force on the mound. Fuentes is a fast-rising prospect who is dealing in the Braves’ bullpen right now with strong potential of eventually becoming a key piece in a starting rotation.

That would be quite a haul for the Tigers to address the starting rotation immediately if Tarik Skubal was traded. Detroit can and should ask for more in a trade to help improve the lineup as well. Acquiring veteran help to build around the top prospects would be an enticing scenario for Detroit. One or two position players on top of the pitchers could be what tilts the Tigers to accept a deal from Atlanta.

For the Braves, it would be a lot to give up, and the Dodgers and Yankees might be in a better position to afford a trade for Skubal. However, Atlanta should not be slept on as a possible landing spot for the seven-year veteran ace, as the front office has the assets to make the Tigers a contender right away in 2027, while setting up their future as well.

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