Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle Reacts to Tarik Skubal Trade

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Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle Reacts to Tarik Skubal Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Xavier Constantino | Last updated Aug 2, 2026 2:22 PM ET

Kevin McGonigle didn't need many words to react to the Detroit Tigers trading Tarik Skubal.

The 21-year-old infielder enters the final two months of his rookie season slashing .290/.394/.435 with 11 home runs, 41 RBIs and a .829 OPS through 107 games this season, production backed by a 130 OPS+ that has him firmly in the American League Rookie of the Year race. He's drawn 68 walks against 66 strikeouts, stolen 11 bases and posted a 5.6 WAR, output that earned him his first All-Star selection in his rookie year.

Detroit climbed back into the playoff position through June and July behind McGonigle, catcher Dillon Dingler and outfielder Riley Green, all three named All-Stars this season. That surge wasn't enough to keep the Tigers from parting with their ace.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7)Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Detroit sent the two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner to the Dodgers on Saturday in exchange for outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith.

Skubal, 29, spent his entire career with Detroit after the Tigers drafted him in 2018, growing into a two-time Cy Young winner and reaching 1,000 career strikeouts in his final start with the club. He posted a lengthy farewell to Tigers fans on Instagram, thanking the city, the fans and his teammates for their support.

McGonigle commented with a fist-bump emoji beneath his former teammate's farewell message on Instagram Sunday.

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The Tigers now turn to the stretch run 2.5 games behind the final AL Wild Card spot without their top ace, leaning on McGonigle, Dingler and Greene to keep Detroit in the postseason race through the last couple months of the season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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