Overview
- Ken Rosenthal and other MLB insiders said weekend reporting indicates a Skubal trade is “trending” as Detroit falls toward the bottom of the American League.
- Skubal underwent a needle arthroscopy (NanoNeedle) to remove loose bodies from his left elbow and has now begun throwing to hitters, making medical clearance the key gating factor for suitors.
- Because Skubal is under team control only through 2026 and will reach free agency this winter, Detroit faces pressure to extract value rather than risk losing him for minimal compensation.
- Multiple contenders — frequently named are the Dodgers, Padres, Yankees, Cubs, Cardinals, Mariners, Rays and Blue Jays — are being linked to Skubal and media mock trades outline steep prospect packages teams might need to offer.
- The practical timeline: teams are likely to intensify offers if Skubal looks healthy in mid/late June, and Detroit will have to choose before the Aug. 3 trade deadline whether to sell and reshape its roster for the future.