Tigers enliven Tarik Skubal trade talk with no 'untouchables' approach

Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said Detroit has no "untouchables" on the roster, stoking a rumor mill overflowing with Tarik Skubal trade scenarios at the MLB Winter Meetings this week.

Skubal's dominance the past two seasons -- 31-10 record with a 2.30 ERA and 469 strikeouts in 62 games, resulting in consecutive Cy Young awards -- and his contract status entering a walk year usher the Tigers to a crossroads with the left-handed ace. On one hand, Harris understands he's coveted. On the other, keeping him in Detroit figures to be one rung above costly.

The Los Angeles Dodgers likely set the baseline for an agreement last offseason, outbidding the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a record-setting deal for a pitcher worth $325 million.

That type of deal, with an annual average value between $30 million and $40 million, would chew up more than one-fourth of the Tigers' team payroll.

Skubal, 29, has denied he wants to play for the Yankees and speculation he'd like to be in California. But MLB superagent Scott Boras represents the ace, and he doesn't do hometown discounts.

Meaning while Harris is trying to tune out national speculation about Skubal and the stay-or-go yo-yo, he believes it's part of his job to listen when the phone rings.

"It's just really hard to answer the question," Harris said Monday in Orlando at the Winter Meetings about Skubal speculation.

"I'll tell you why: One, we don't speculate on any players on our roster in trade talks. It's just not productive, and it's unfair to players on other teams.

"Two, I've been pretty clear since I've been here: I don't believe in untouchables at any level, anyone in our organization. It's not a commentary on Tarik specifically -- sort of a blanket team-building approach. I can't do my job without listening. I can't do my job without exploring anything that may or may not have legs. Some are going to be very likely moves and some are going to be extremely unlikely, but you can't actually fully vet those opportunities unless you are willing to listen."

Harris said he is working to improve the team for the 2026 season after consecutive playoff appearances, which might be the strongest indicator yet of where he stands on an offseason trade of Skubal.

"There's a ton of uncertainty coming after the season, in a variety of ways, so we're pretty focused on ‘26 right now. If there's an opportunity for us to get better in ‘26, we're going to take it," Harris said. "If, in addition to the opportunity to get better in ‘26 we're going to get better in ‘27, ‘28 and ‘29, obviously we're going to look at that view. But we have a good team right now and we have a great opportunity to take another step forward as a young group, and we're trying to find ways to add to that."

--Field Level Media