urge Tigers – Former pitcher Trevor May says the struggling Detroit Tigers should trade ace Tarik Skubal, pointing to the gap between Skubal’s $32 million salary this season and Detroit’s $19 million offer—after Skubal won his arbitration case in February.
A season that was supposed to orbit Tarik Skubal has instead been dragged through mud without him.
Now, a former Tigers pitcher is pushing Detroit to turn that frustration into a deadline move.
Trevor May, appearing on the “Foul Territory” podcast, said he believes the Detroit Tigers should trade Skubal. “Yeah. one hundred thousand percent they should trade him. because he will not have a higher value than if he is healthy and cooking around the deadline. ” May said on the show via Foul Territory on X. May went further. calling Skubal “their number one guy. ” and arguing that the pitching haul a contender could offer would be enormous. “Look at all these teams – if you add Tarik Skubal to the three guys who are going to throw in the playoffs. every team needs it. ” he said. “The prospects or the talent you could get back would be huge; you’re not signing him coming back.”.
Skubal’s current status is exactly what has fueled the urgency in those calls. The back-to-back reigning American League Cy Young Award winner is on the mend after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies in his arm, leaving him unavailable while Detroit slides.
The numbers have become the headline for a franchise searching for answers. With their latest loss on Friday evening to the Baltimore Orioles. the Tigers have won just two of their last 17 games. They’ve also sunk to the bottom of the American League Central Division standings. As the series against the Orioles continues on Saturday at Camden Yards, Detroit will again have to play without Skubal.
Before the surgery, Skubal had been dominant: he went 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP, striking out 45 batters.
Detroit’s handling of Skubal’s contract has also sharpened the debate. In February, Skubal won his arbitration case against the club. This season, he is making $32 million, a figure that sits above the team’s $19 million offer.
That combination—contract leverage. star-level value. and a team paying the price for a prolonged absence—has created a clear sense of pressure around what happens next. The Tigers are now trying to steady their season as the speculation around Skubal’s future grows. even while he recovers and the games keep coming at Camden Yards.
Tarik Skubal Detroit Tigers Trevor May arbitration Cy Young Baltimore Orioles American League Central
Trade him. Simple.
I don’t get why they’re still saying to trade him when he won the Cy Young like what more do you want?? Also that $32 mil vs $19 mil thing sounds like ownership is messing with it again.
Trevor May talking on a podcast on X and everybody just runs with it. Like maybe Skubal comes back and they win a bunch after the surgery? 2 wins in 17 is rough but trading your “number one guy” feels like panic, not strategy.
If he’s hurt they should trade him NOW before his value drops… but also they can’t just dump him because of salary?? arbitration cases always seem messy. And Camden Yards like okay sure keep losing while he’s rehabbing, that’ll help attendance I guess. I’m sure the ‘big haul’ will happen though, right? teams need him in the playoffs… unless he’s not actually ready, then what.