Tarik Skubal is a back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner and one of the most coveted arms in the MLB. With one year left on his contract, the elite pitcher is likely to receive potentially record-breaking money when he signs his next deal after 2026. The Detroit Tigers may not be in position to give him the kind of money he desires in order to keep him in town, and there are official reports that the team in engaged in trade conversations.
MLB Trade Rumors: Where Will Tarik Skubal End Up In 2026?
Which teams might be interested in bringing him in? Here are three possible MLB destinations for Tarik Skubal should the Tigers trade him:
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles had one of the best pitchers in the MLB in 2025, but the rest of their starting rotation was arguably the worst. Trevor Rogers’ season average ERA of 1.80 was the second-lowest of any player with 100+ innings pitched, but four of the six other pitchers who started 10+ games has ERAs of 5.00 or higher (the other two were over 4.00).
So it stands to reason why the struggling staff would be looking for some elite help at the top of the rotation. After 2 straight seasons of 90+ wins and postseason appearances, Baltimore went 75-87 in 2025, and their struggles had plenty to do with their lack of elite arms. Look for general manager Mike Elias and the team’s front office to be active on the pitching market this offseason, and Skubal will be one of the top-line names.
New York Yankees
The Yankees had two All-Star pitchers at the top of their rotation last season in Carlos Rodon and Max Fried, both of whom finished in the top-6 in Cy Young voting. But each of them struggled mightily in the postseason, as they combined to give up 13 earned runs in 5.1 innings pitched against the Blue Jays in the 2025 AL Division Series.
Skubal can help relieve some of those issues. He of course has been the most elite pitcher in the American League over the last two seasons, but he has carried that over into the postseason in recent years as well. In six career playoff starts, Skubal has posted an ERA of 2.04, and had an incredible 36 strikeouts in 20.1 innings in three appearances in 2025. Pairing him with their existing rotation would give New York arguably the best pitching staff in the MLB.
Chicago Cubs
The NL Central will likely be wide open in 2026, and the Cubs could be looking to capitalize on their somewhat surprising 90-72 record from this past season. But they’re likely going to be losing top top-end talent in blue-chip outfielder Kyle Tucker and their best starting pitcher in Shota Imanaga. In order to replace some of the lost production, the Chicago could look to the trade market, especially if Skubal is an available option.
Chicago has spent years trying to piece together a consistent staff, but Skubal would give the team a clear no.1 to build around, both now and in the future. The issue lies with the team’s approach to the payroll, though. Never known as big spenders, a deal for Skubal would likely be a one-year rental, as the pitcher is set to receive a potentially record-breaking payday when he is a free agent after the 2026 campaign.
