Trade speculation surrounding Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal intensified Friday after the team scratched him from his scheduled start, a move widely interpreted as a signal that the club is entering a "sell mode." The Tigers, who sat 51-58 entering Friday's games and were 4 ½ games out of a playoff spot in the American League, made the decision to remove Skubal from his start, a move that unofficially signaled that the team was open for business. This development has reportedly led to the commencement of trade talks involving the left-handed pitcher, who has been described as MLB's best pitcher.
The surprise scratch of a healthy Casey Mize from his start was the unofficial indicator that Detroit was ready to part with assets. Teams had questioned whether the Tigers would be willing to trade players while still mathematically in contention for a playoff spot in what has been described as the weakest American League in recent years. Skubal's removal from the mound has now shifted the focus to his potential landing spots.