Skubal Rumor

[Michael W]

Latest rumor (reported multiple places) is Skubal to the Dodgers for 

• Tyler Glasnow 
•  Emmet Sheehan
•  Zyhir Hope

Michael

[Michael W]

I realize that Zyhir Hope sounds like an anagram name, but I didn't make it up :-)

He did have a really good season at Rancho Cucamonga - an important credential for Tiger acquisitions. 

Michael

[Peter Welch]

The Dodgers can throw in Daulton Rushing and Justin Wrobleski and it's a deal.

Peter

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From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Michael W <miw...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, December 8, 2025 4:56 PM
To: Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Skubal Rumor

 

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[Paul Meloche]

This deal was hypothesized by a writer a few weeks ago and i think it did include Wrobleski or another pitching prospect. Rushing was not involved. 

If it’s a 4-for-1 trade including one of the guys mentioned above (or Josue De Paulo) onus the three mentioned below I’m listening if I’m the Tigers. 

Paul M.

On Dec 8, 2025, at 4:40 PM, Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/detroit-tigers/PH3PPF7B3FDDB2993274173361A87921F869AA3A%40PH3PPF7B3FDDB29.namprd19.prod.outlook.com.

[Peter Welch]

Glasnow is 31 and under contract for 2026 and 2027 at $32.5 million per season.  He has a team option for $30 million in 2028, or a player option for $21.56 million.  He's a very good pitcher but has had trouble staying healthy and had TJS in 2021.

Sheehan is 25 and under team control until 2030.  He has TJS in 2024 but pitched well after coming back in 2025.

He was one of the Dodgers' best pitching prospects 3 years ago.

Hope is a 20-year-old lefty-hitting OF prospect.  He plays all 3 OF positions. 

He played in high-A and AA this year.  He had a .805 OPS in high-A this season in the Midwest League (same league as West Michigan).

He was originally an 11th-round pick by the Cubs in 2023.  He was traded by the Cubs to the Dodgers as part of the trade for Michael Busch in 2024.

I think Glasnow and Sheehan could adequately replace Skubal in the Tigers' rotation and they would still be under control after next season.  Sheehan has the stuff to be a #1 starter and Glasnow is good if he's healthy.

However, I want more than Zyhir Hope added to the trade if I'm the Tigers.

That's why I suggested the lefty Wrobleski, who is 25 and could be a very good lefty reliever or possibly a decent starter.

I'd also be interested in 21-year-old lefty Jackson Ferris.

I suggested Rushing because he's kind of blocked with the Dodgers (he plays catcher and 1B and is behind Will Smith and Freddie Freeman).  Rushing and Dingler could make a good catching combo, plus Rushing can play some 1B and DH.  He's a lefty hitter, though.

The Dodgers have some other OF prospects who look interesting: DePaula, Sirota, Quintero.

Harris should ask for a lot.  If the Dodgers say no, then tell them goodbye.

Peter

---

From: Paul Meloche <meloc...@gmail.com>

Sent: Monday, December 8, 2025 9:44 PM
To: Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com>
Cc: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Skubal Rumor

 

[Peter Welch]

Tigers should ask for Sasaki, Sheehan, Wrobleski and one of the Dodgers' OF prospects.

Glasnow is too injury-prone, expensive, and is 31.

Peter

---

From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 1:00 AM
To: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Skubal Rumor

 

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[Michael W]

Remember this post in 10 months, when Skubal walks, we get nothing, and our rotation is a mess.  I think you are over-valuing what the Tigers are giving up:  Skubal is great, but it’s only one year of Skubal.  Two quality starters under several years control is worth a lot.  The prospect here is just a sweetener - modest value.

Think of it another way:  who on the Tigers roster today would you not trade straight-up for Sheehan?  Skubal, Greene, McGonigle ….  Anyone else?

Michael 

[Jeffrey Withey]

I think what you give up is a generational Hall of Fame talent who can dominate a playoff series (or at least 6 innings of each game he starts.) If a team is series about winning in the playoffs, such a player can't be replaced with two lesser, albeit still good, pitchers.

-Jeff

Jeffrey H. Withey, Ph.D.

Professor and Interim Chair

 

Dept. of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology

Wayne State University School of Medicine

540 E. Canfield

Detroit, MI 48201

Withey lab website

 

 

 

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From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Michael W <miw...@gmail.com>

Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 3:16 PM

To: Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Skubal Rumor

 

[EXTERNAL]

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/detroit-tigers/b0540212-5483-4e13-a2ab-f6f66caf8125n%40googlegroups.com.

[Michael W]

You can apply whatever superlatives you want, but it’s still trading 1 player-year for 8 or 9 player-years and a prospect.  If those 8 or 9 years are 2-4 WAR kind of years… All I’m saying is you shouldn’t expect more than that.

Michael 

[Sean Sweda]

The last two years have shown that this is a roughly average team surrounding the best pitcher on the planet. This combination has been good enough to squeeze into an expanded playoff system, but not good enough to win multiple playoff series and seriously contend for a championship. The front office either needs to expend assets to significantly upgrade the supporting cast, or trade Skubal for the biggest haul available. The leadership team has a difficult decision to make, but they need to choose a path and follow it with conviction. Indecision is either cowardice or incompetence.

> On Dec 10, 2025, at 3:39 PM, Michael W <miw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> You can apply whatever superlatives you want, but it’s still trading 1 player-year for 8 or 9 player-years and a prospect. If those 8 or 9 years are 2-4 WAR kind of years… All I’m saying is you shouldn’t expect more than that.
>
> Michael
> On Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 2:23:12 PM UTC-6 Jeffrey Withey wrote:
> I think what you give up is a generational Hall of Fame talent who can dominate a playoff series (or at least 6 innings of each game he starts.) If a team is series about winning in the playoffs, such a player can't be replaced with two lesser, albeit still good, pitchers.
>
> -Jeff
>
> Jeffrey H. Withey, Ph.D.
> Professor and Interim Chair
> Dept. of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology
> Wayne State University School of Medicine
> 540 E. Canfield
> Detroit, MI 48201
> Withey lab website

> From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Michael W <miw...@gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 3:16 PM
>
> To: Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
> Subject: Re: Skubal Rumor
> [EXTERNAL] Remember this post in 10 months, when Skubal walks, we get nothing, and our rotation is a mess. I think you are over-valuing what the Tigers are giving up: Skubal is great, but it’s only one year of Skubal. Two quality starters under several years control is worth a lot. The prospect here is just a sweetener - modest value.
>
> Think of it another way: who on the Tigers roster today would you not trade straight-up for Sheehan? Skubal, Greene, McGonigle …. Anyone else?
>
> Michael
>
>
> On Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 12:00:06 AM UTC-6 Peter Welch wrote:
> Glasnow is 31 and under contract for 2026 and 2027 at $32.5 million per season. He has a team option for $30 million in 2028, or a player option for $21.56 million. He's a very good pitcher but has had trouble staying healthy and had TJS in 2021.
>
> Sheehan is 25 and under team control until 2030. He has TJS in 2024 but pitched well after coming back in 2025.
> He was one of the Dodgers' best pitching prospects 3 years ago.
>
> Hope is a 20-year-old lefty-hitting OF prospect. He plays all 3 OF positions.
> He played in high-A and AA this year. He had a .805 OPS in high-A this season in the Midwest League (same league as West Michigan).
> He was originally an 11th-round pick by the Cubs in 2023. He was traded by the Cubs to the Dodgers as part of the trade for Michael Busch in 2024.
>
> I think Glasnow and Sheehan could adequately replace Skubal in the Tigers' rotation and they would still be under control after next season. Sheehan has the stuff to be a #1 starter and Glasnow is good if he's healthy.
>
> However, I want more than Zyhir Hope added to the trade if I'm the Tigers.
> That's why I suggested the lefty Wrobleski, who is 25 and could be a very good lefty reliever or possibly a decent starter.
> I'd also be interested in 21-year-old lefty Jackson Ferris.
>
> I suggested Rushing because he's kind of blocked with the Dodgers (he plays catcher and 1B and is behind Will Smith and Freddie Freeman). Rushing and Dingler could make a good catching combo, plus Rushing can play some 1B and DH. He's a lefty hitter, though.
>
> The Dodgers have some other OF prospects who look interesting: DePaula, Sirota, Quintero.
>
> Harris should ask for a lot. If the Dodgers say no, then tell them goodbye.
>
> Peter
>

> From: Paul Meloche <meloc...@gmail.com>
> Sent: Monday, December 8, 2025 9:44 PM
> To: Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com>
> Cc: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
> Subject: Re: Skubal Rumor
> This deal was hypothesized by a writer a few weeks ago and i think it did include Wrobleski or another pitching prospect. Rushing was not involved.
>
> If it’s a 4-for-1 trade including one of the guys mentioned above (or Josue De Paulo) onus the three mentioned below I’m listening if I’m the Tigers.
>
> Paul M.
>
> On Dec 8, 2025, at 4:40 PM, Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>  The Dodgers can throw in Daulton Rushing and Justin Wrobleski and it's a deal.
>
> Peter

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/detroit-tigers/6225dec4-45a9-48ed-9833-27699b71a665n%40googlegroups.com.

[Roger King]

To Sean’s point, I saw a clip from MLB reporter  Ken Rosenthal at the winter meetings yesterday where he basically said he doesn’t think Harris will trade Skubal and he doesn’t think Harris will try to win it all with Skubal either. And then he described Harris as risk adverse. I’ll find the clip, but it was definitely a minor critique of Harris which I found a little surprising coming from a reporter. The tone was basically… This guy really isn’t going to do anything one way or another.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Harris is getting that reputation at this point. He does OK with trade deadline deals (as a buyer or seller) but those are always small trades by their nature. But as I mentioned briefly in a post a week or two ago, he hasn’t swung one noteworthy trade since literally the first month he took over when he did the Soto for Vierling & Maton deal. That wasn’t even a huge deal… But at least it involved multiple players at the major league level.

I feel like at this point agents kinda get the sense Harris isn’t going to splurge on any top-tier free agent… and I’ll bet his fellow GM’s now know they’re not dealing with a Dombrowski type who likes to roll the dice and get creative with trades. So consequently, maybe they don’t even bother knocking on his door as much. 

Someone on Tigers Twitter said Harris is just buying time until *his* prospects finally make it: McGonigle & Max Clark.  I think he’s pretty convinced the Tigers have all this young talent and it will pay off way more than adding any big names or going all in on one season with Skubal. 

Funnily enough, I think that’s actually *more* of a gamble than if Harris made a bold trade or two. If you acquire a couple of noteworthy players to fill key holes and they don’t work out, I think fans generally understand you at least gave it an effort. Sure, they will second guess the trades after the fact… But they get that you tried.  

But if he just kind of stands pat and the Tigers have a mediocre year in 2026 or don’t advance any farther in the postseason than the last two years, people are going to want to run Harris out of town. Especially if Skubal is gone after 2026.  

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/detroit-tigers/E994D032-F253-4CE7-8551-7DCE59D74B24%40ibl.org.

[Peter Welch]

Right, I wouldn't object to Sheehan, Glasnow and an OF prospect for Skubal.  I would still ask for a bit more (like Wrobleski or Ferris) but if the deal is Sheehan, Glasnow and Hope (or one of the other Dodgers' younger OF prospects, like Sirota) then that would be acceptable for all the reasons you mention. 

Peter

---

From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Michael W <miw...@gmail.com>

Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 3:16 PM

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[Peter Welch]

The Tigers are going to be short on starters after Skubal leaves (remember Mize and Flaherty could also be leaving in 2027 as well and it's not like they are that good anyway).  

Harris can wait for McGonigle, Clark, Briceno, Rainer, etc. to develop all he wants in the next 2-3 years, but they won't help much if our starting pitching is weak after 2026.

The Tigers don't have a single top pitching prospect under age 24 in their system right now.  They have no one to step in for Skubal next year.  (I like Melton and Jobe, but I don't think they are potential #1 starters who can replace Skubal).  Their best younger pitchers are Jobe (who won't be coming back from surgery until he's 24 late next year or in 2027 when he'll be turning 25) and Melton, who is 25 already and is still being put on innings limits.   If Harris can get 2 good starting pitchers under team control for several years, and a decent OF or SS prospect (or another pitching prospect) for the last year of Skubal, then Harris should go for it.

It seems a waste for Harris not to go all in while he has Skubal on the roster unless Harris is confident the Tigers can re-sign Skubal.

Peter

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From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Roger King <pnag...@pnagency.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 4:58 PM
To: Sean Sweda <sw...@ibl.org>
Cc: Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Skubal Rumor

 

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[Peter Welch]

Harris isn't that serious about trying to win a WS with Skubal.

Peter

---

From: 'Jeffrey Withey' via Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 3:23 PM
To: Michael W <miw...@gmail.com>; Detroit Tigers e-mail list <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Skubal Rumor

 

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[Roger King]

Well, there is virtually no one in baseball who can truly replace Skubal right now.   So it is correct that we do not in fact have a guaranteed back to back Cy Young winner waiting in the wings :-)

But Jobe was literally the highest ranked pitching prospect in all of baseball 2 years ago.  Skubal was once in his shoes, coming back from the same surgery.  So who knows...

Jobe-Olson-Melton...on paper...is certainly not a bad trio to start with if Skubal is gone. And maybe Mize has a good 2026 and they resign him. 

But I'm not particularly worried about the starting staff in 2027.  Who knew that Flaherty, Melton or even Mize would be in the rotation for 2026 at this time in the 2024 offseason?  

Point is...guys can come out of nowhere...and the Tigers can sign others to short term deals, make small deals, maybe Anderson does produce this season and he is already signed for 2027 etc..  They don't need to have 5 homegrown starters.  

I am just of the opinion that you try to win while you can, without doing anything stupid.  I don't want them to trade Skubal for "what might be" yet another 2-3 years in the future.  After being one game away from the ALCS two years in a row, I want them to try to win in 2026.

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[Michael W]

I dreamt a few nights ago that the Tigers signed Skubal to a long term deal — after having traded him for a boatload of young players.  Now that would be skilled management!  Seems like we will get the opposite - no trade, no signing.

Michael 

[Peter Welch]

Well, maybe we'll get a Merry Christmas and the Tigers announce they've signed Skubal to an extension.  Probably wishful thinking, though.

I didn't see much in Jobe before he got hurt.  He didn't show much of a swing-and-miss fastball.  I do like Melton's potential as a possible top-of-the-rotation starter.

Olson is a passable mid-rotation starter but he's been injury-prone.  Mize is ok as a #3-#4 starter but I have a feeling he'll be leaving as a FA.  Who the heck knows which version of Flaherty we'll get in 2026?   There just isn't a lot of pitching depth in the system behind them.  Guys like Montero, SGL, D. Anderson, Jake Miller, Ty Madden, etc. are #5 starters/swingmen at best.

If the Tigers don't trade or re-sign Skubal then they will need to spend $$$$ on free agent pitching after 2026 or make some trades. 

Peter

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From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Roger King <pnag...@pnagency.com>

Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 5:39 PM
To: Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com>

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[Roger King]

Here’s that Ken Rosenthal clip I mentioned below where he critiques Scott Harris a little bit:

https://x.com/foulterritorytv/status/1998462650825466055?s=46&t=3gpgTYbZ605jNqKOtj-ltQ

[Michael W]

Jorge Castillo, the ESPN beat writer covering the winter meetings, now says a Tarik Skubal trade is “likely”.  

Michael 

On Monday, December 8, 2025 at 3:47:39 PM UTC-6 Michael W wrote: