Tigers urged to make bold Tarik Skubal trade decision 'right now' by ex-MLB GM

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Tigers urged to make bold Tarik Skubal trade decision 'right now' by ex-MLB GM originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There might not be a name more intriguing than two months to go until the MLB trade deadline than Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.

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With how badly the Tigers have played this season, trading Skubal seems to be a lot more of a possibility than anyone could've expected this season. But, for now, with Skubal on the injured list, there's no indication a deal could get done soon.

However, former MLB general manager Doug Melvin told USA Today's Bob Nightengale that the Tigers shouldn't wait with Skubal, and they should put him up for trade "right now."

Ex-MLB GM urges Tigers to put Tarik Skubal up for trade 'right now'

"If I'm the Tigers," former MLB GM and current Milwaukee Brewers special assistant said, "I'd think about putting Skubal out there right now."

This would be a very bold decision from the Tigers, as trading away Skubal would mean admitting the 2026 season is not a contending one, and that their effort to build such a contender was a failure.

It's only June 7, and this former MLB GM believes the Tigers should throw in the towel. They're 26-39, 10.5 games back in the AL Central, which is something they could come back from with over three months to go this season.

The other issue stopping the Tigers from placing Skubal on the trade block and seriously entertaining offers is that they're only 5.5 games back in the AL Wild Card race.

MORE: Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency

However, despite being within striking distance of the playoffs, Melvin believes the Tigers should consider placing Skubal up for trade right now.

It does make sense, as even though he's on the injured list, some team might be willing to offer a bit more now to get more starts out of Skubal rather than waiting until after the All-Star break and the August 3 trade deadline in roughly two months.

If Skubal proves he's healthy, then the Tigers could land a king's ransom for the left-handed Cy Young winner on the trade market.

Of course, trading Skubal would be admitting 2026 is a failure. But, with how things are going this year, it might not be a bad idea to trade Skubal for a haul now and prepare for the future without him.

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