Tigers’ late scratch signals Tarik Skubal trade coming soon

With the baseball world wondering whether Detroit Tigers star Tarik Skubal will be traded ahead of Monday’s trade deadline, the team’s latest move could signal it’s likely to happen. As rumors surround the Tigers and Skubal, this MLB insider draws a correlation to the team’s latest scratch.

Detroit starting pitcher Casey Mize would be taken off his start for Friday night, now being set to pitch after the trade deadline, which has Jon Heyman thinking that a ‘full sale’ of the team could be in effect. Heyman would double down in saying that “this is the clearest sign yet” that Skubal will be dealt, among other players.

“Casey Mize was scratched from his start tonight, another indication Skubal Watch is heating up,” Heyman wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Mize is now scheduled for after the deadline, but full Tigers sale, including Mize, may be on!”

“This is the clearest sign yet Skubal will very likely go in trade,” Heyman continued. “Tigers have plenty to deal, including also Mize, Gleyber Torres and Kyle Finnegan.”

What the Tigers could be looking for in Tarik Skubal trade talks

The talk around the Tigers and Skubal has been ongoing throughout the season, with a foreseeable end now on the horizon, as one team is about to get a two-time AL Cy Young Award winner.

Currently recording a 2.79 ERA with 116 strikeouts and a 7-5 record in 16 starts, former general manager Jim Duquette would believe Detroit wants a “high-end starting pitcher” in return, which would be the separator in trade talks.

“So with Atlanta, if you want to include, maybe they don’t care for A.J. Smith-Shawver in the uncertainty with that just coming back from Tommy John. Maybe they want JR Ritchie instead,” Duquette said.

“The Brewers have Logan Henderson. I know the Brewers don’t want to give him up, but I mean, to get Tarik Skubal, they would do it,” Duquette continued. “The Dodgers have Emmet Sheehan.”