Guardians’ perfect trade for Tigers’ Tarik Skubal

It’s true that Tarik Skubal might not be available for the Cleveland Guardians. And maybe the Tigers would trade their star pitcher to the Braves. But here is the Guardians’ perfect trade offer for Skubal.

Even with the recent injury to Jose Ramirez, the Guardians are in the thick of things in the American League playoff chase. They entered Monday’s slate of games with a record of 39-33, tied for first place in the AL Central with the White Sox. And they stood in a comfortable second place in the Wild Card picture.

Why would trading for Tarik Skubal make sense for the Guardians?

Skubal would lift the Guardians from a playoff contender to a legitimate postseason threat. That’s because it would enhance an already strong pitching staff. He would slot at the top of the rotation that already stands strong with Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Parker Messick.

Yes, Skubal looked a little rusty in his return to the mound on Saturday. He tossed 4 2/3 innings in a 3-1 loss to the Guardians. But the main thing is he made an impressively quick return from a new elbow procedure that removed a loose body. Skubal said he wasn’t thinking about the hype of getting back to baseball, according to ESPN.

“I don’t want to play into that narrative of trying to be back,” said Skubal. “I need to be better, plain and simple. ‘Just happy to be there,’ that’s a loser mentality to me. I need to go out there and pitch and compete and give my team a chance to win. And I didn’t do that.”

He said he made one pitch that wasn’t anywhere near his usual level of execution. Daniel Schneemann drove it out of the park.

“It was bad. Really bad,” Skubal said. “On 0-2, I’m going up and away, and I kind of miss. It’s not in enough. And it’s not up enough. If I’m going to miss, it needs to be more in and more up. It’s a good swing on it, but the execution on it was pretty poor.”

However, the velocity was fine. And Skubal is high on the list of many major-league teams that are seeking to trade for a starting pitcher.

Would it be difficult for the Tigers to trade him within the division? Maybe not, according to MLB.com.

“While intra-division trades are rare, which pushes the Guardians down the list, the Tigers would not have to worry about Skubal being a long-time division rival,” Travis Sawchik wrote. “Players like Skubal are rare. And it’s even rarer they are available at the Trade Deadline.”

But what would the Guardians have to surrender to get Skubal?

Guardians will have to part with pitching prospects

There’s no doubt the Tigers will demand a pitching haul if they trade Skubal. Fortunately for the Guardians, they have enough minor-league arms to pay the bill.

And they would likely have to give up their top one. That is right-hander Khal Stephen, according to MLB.com. He turned in good numbers in 2025.

“Cleveland acquired him for Shane Bieber as the right-hander was wrapping up an impressive debut season with a 2.53 ERA, 110 strikeouts, and just 20 walks in 103 frames across three levels,” MLB.com wrote. “Stephen is a high-probability starter with a workhorse 6-foot-4 frame and a deep arsenal, albeit one without a knockout secondary offering. That may work, though, as his fastball, which he throws more than half the time, is so effective. Stephen gets nearly seven feet of extension on his delivery and exceptional ride on the pitch, which makes up for the average velocity (averages 93 mph, up to 96).

“Stephen is a good athlete for his size with a sound, repeatable delivery, which helps him command all of his pitches well. (He) projects as a strong No. 3 starter but could become even more if he can develop one more pitch into a plus offering.”

Yes, please, say the Tigers. But it will take more.

Also in the package should be a strong bat. And that should come from outfielder Jaison Chourio. He projects as a 2027 big-league arrival, according to MLB.com. And he’s the younger brother of Brewers’ standout Jackson Chourio.

“Chourio controls the zone well, which enabled him to run up an 18.4 percent walk rate (which was actually a career low), although he can be overly passive at times,” MLB.com wrote. “He has room to fill out his wiry 6-foot frame to add more power, but it will be crucial to avoid hitting the ball on the ground less to reach his offensive ceiling. Chourio’s swing is better from the right side, where he’s more athletic and gets the ball in the air better, and the club is working on his left-handed swing to match it.

“Chourio is a plus runner with baserunning aptitude, but wasn’t aggressive or efficient last year. He has the potential to be one of the best defenders in the system in center (field).”

These two players fit nicely into a strong package for Skubal. But the Tigers may want a third prospect. Right-handed pitcher Daniel Espino could be thrown into the deal. Or the Guardians could offer second baseman, Juan Brito.