With the best record in the American League, the Baltimore Orioles are reportedly “putting together packages” for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. After their first postseason appearance in seven years came to an abrupt end, the Orioles have emerged as a legitimate World Series contender this season.
Baltimore acquired a much-needed ace in Corbin Burnes just two weeks before Spring Training began, and the 29-year-old has exceeded all expectations for the Orioles. But after losing three starters to season-ending elbow surgery, the Orioles are looking to add another difference-maker to their rotation. As the trade deadline approaches, Orioles general manager Mike Elias is reportedly “putting together packages” for the ace lefty Skubal.
Currently the favorite in AL Cy Young Award voting, Skubal has become one of the best pitchers in the majors. Since returning from flexor tendon surgery last July, the 27-year-old southpaw has been nothing shy of dominant, leading the majors in fWAR during this stretch. The former ninth-round draft pick has a league-leading 2.34 ERA while generating a lot of whiffs and forcing a lot of ground balls.
While sources are divided on whether or not Detroit will deal the lefty, the Tigers have been scouting three of the Orioles’ top five prospects.
Orioles Eyeing Blockbuster Trade for Cy Young Favorite Tarik Skubal
“They should do whatever it takes to acquire Tarik Skubal.”
With reports that the Tigers are scouting Orioles prospects, @Russ_Dorsey1 and #MLBNOffBase discuss what getting the southpaw would mean for Baltimore’s World Series hopes. pic.twitter.com/tpgJY8IBbm
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 22, 2024
Detroit would undoubtedly be seeking a significant prospect package for the All-Star hurler who is controllable through the 2026 season. Burnes, in his final season before free agency, came to Baltimore for infielder Joey Ortiz, left-hander DL Hall, and a draft pick. Baltimore’s package for Skubal would have to be somewhere between the Burnes trade and the Juan Soto blockbuster in 2022. Like Skubal, when Soto arrived in San Diego, he came with two years of club control remaining on his contract.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi said that a Skubal trade “makes sense only if the Tigers obtain multiple players seen as future All-Stars.” Baltimore has the top-ranked farm system in the majors and Morosi reports that the Tigers have been scouting the Orioles Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk. Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo, Connor Norby, and Kyle Stowers are all currently on the Norfolk roster. Despite a disappointing 10-game stint with the Orioles earlier this year, top prospect Holliday is not going anywhere. Baltimore’s best trade chip would likely be 19-year-old catching prospect Samuel Basallo. Outside of Holliday, a trade package for Skubal would almost certainly include at least one of these four hot-hitting, high-ceiling position players.
A Tarik Skubal trade makes sense only if the Tigers obtain *multiple players* seen as future All-Stars.
The Padres met this standard in their 2022 deal for Juan Soto & Josh Bell: CJ Abrams, James Wood, MacKenzie Gore, Robert Hassell III, Jarlin Susana & Luke Voit.
If the…
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 17, 2024
There is no question that Baltimore needs another impact arm in its rotation to remain a legitimate World Series contender. Elias has the prospect depth and the MLB-ready bats that Detroit needs to swing a blockbuster trade for the southpaw. Pairing Skubal with Burnes would be huge for an Orioles team looking to win their first World Series since 1983.
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