The Detroit Tigers have a strategy in the event they move Tarik Skubal before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Detroit would look for a controllable starting pitcher plus prospects in return for the two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner, two rival executives told Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic.
That type of return could allow the Tigers to continue attempting to make the playoffs this season while improving their ability to compete in the future, Rosenthal and Sammon noted.
The new starter could replace Skubal in the Tigers' rotation.
Detroit (47-54) enters Wednesday's action five games out of the AL's last wild-card spot. The club's gone 25-16 since June 1 following a 22-38 start to the season.
Skubal is the biggest name that could be available as the trade deadline approaches.
The 29-year-old is expected to be the No. 1 free agent during the offseason and will command a potentially record-breaking long-term contract, so he'll likely be a rental if he's traded.
Skubal owns a 2.83 ERA with 0.93 WHIP and 10.7 K/9 over 82 2/3 innings (14 starts) in 2026. The left-hander missed six weeks earlier in the season after undergoing an elbow procedure.
