Atlanta Braves among favorites to land Tarik Skubal

It’s looking more and more likely that Tarik Skubal will be traded ahead of this year’s deadline. He’s in the final year of his contract, the Tigers have the worst record in the American League with a roster full of injured players, and despite having elbow surgery just a few weeks ago, all signs point to a return in the near future.

That last part is really the only thing that could prevent Skubal from wearing a new uniform at the deadline. He’ll have to come back and prove he’s healthy before any club parts with valuable prospect capital — but the early reports are extremely encouraging.

If he clears that hurdle, the usual suspects are lurking — Dodgers, Padres, Yankees — all clubs with deep pockets that don’t shy away from big swings.

Right alongside them in the odds, however, is the Atlanta Braves.

Tarik Skubal Next Team Odds (via Kalshi)

• Dodgers — 21%
• Tigers — 15% (No trade, re-sign him)
• Yankees — 14%
• Braves — 10%
• Padres — 9%
• Brewers — 7%
• Cubs — 6%
• Rays — 5%

There’s no doubt every competing club will at least inquire, including the Braves — who don’t typically make blockbuster moves mid-season and likely have little interest in re-signing Skubal in the offseason.

But Skubal is that good. When he’s right, he could single-handedly improve the Braves’ World Series odds by 10 percent or more. Just imagine Chris Sale and Tarik Skubal guaranteed to toe the rubber four times in a playoff series paired with this offense. Even the two-time defending champion Dodgers couldn’t match that kind of firepower.

Like every trade, it comes down to price. Most executives believe the Tigers will demand two top-100 prospects.

For the first time in years, the Braves could offer that without completely gutting their farm system. But would they be willing to part with that much for a pure rental — an all-in move in pursuit of another championship banner?

It’s the kind of swing we haven’t seen from Alex Anthopoulos since he became general manager of the Atlanta Braves. Then again, we’ve never seen a pitcher of Tarik Skubal’s caliber come available.