Tarik Skubal Next Team: Trade Predictions for Tigers Ace

Two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is in the final year of his deal with the Detroit Tigers, who have underperformed in 2026 after being American League Central favorites in the preseason.

If he does hit free agency in the offseason, Skubal, 29, could earn the largest deal for a pitcher in MLB history. The current record belongs to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who netted a $325 million contract before throwing a pitch in the majors.

Naturally, this has led to Skubal being involved in trade rumors. If the Tigers can’t get him to agree to an extension before the end of the 2026 season, they risk losing their franchise player.

It’s unclear if Skubal will be dealt before the deadline at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, but here’s a look at some potential destinations if the Tigers decide to get something for their ace.

Tarik Skubal Next Team Odds & Favorites

The BetMGM online sportsbook doesn’t offer a market on Skubal’s next team, but only a select number of teams make sense as possible destinations.

For a team to trade for Skubal, it must have the assets to win a bidding war and a front office willing to hand out a massive contract extension to lock down the ace. As a result, these are the teams I’d project as the favorites to land Skubal:

• Los Angeles Dodgers
• New York Mets
• New York Yankees
• Tigers

It should come as no surprise that these teams are the favorites to trade for Skubal. After all, they’d likely be the favorites to sign him in free agency.

The Dodgers, who have won back-to-back World Series crowns, have the highest payroll in the sport and are willing to make blockbuster trades for franchise players. According to MLB Pipeline, the Dodgers have the No. 2 farm system, so they may be willing to part with some assets to acquire Skubal.

In addition, both New York teams consistently have a top-five payroll and attract the biggest stars in the league.

The Mets, who gave Juan Soto the largest contract in free agency, have shown a willingness to spend. The Yankees might get more aggressive in hopes of winning their first World Series since 2009.

Of course, the Tigers could always keep Skubal by getting him to agree to an extension before the offseason. Detroit’s payroll ranks 10th in the majors, but it could be worth spending whatever it takes to lock down Skubal. He helps the Tigers win (they have two straight playoff berths) while also selling tickets and jerseys.

Tarik Skubal Next Team Prediction

It’s unclear whether Skubal will be dealt at the trade deadline, but the Dodgers could land him if he’s available.

Thanks to an elite farm system, Los Angeles has the assets to make a fair trade offer to Detroit. The Dodgers would be more willing to make the deal than most, given their confidence in signing him to a lucrative contract.

More importantly, the Dodgers are in win-now mode as the World Series odds favorites. They are aiming to become the first team to win three straight World Series titles since the Yankees did so between 1998 and 2000.

The Dodgers have a lethal rotation when healthy, but injuries remain a concern for their pitching staff. Adding Skubal would be a luxury, but one that could have the biggest boost to their chances in October.

In addition, the other big-market teams have become less likely to make a splash for Skubal. The Mets are 13th in the National League standings, while the Yankees have faded since Aaron Judge’s injury.

All signs point to Los Angeles if Skubal is moved in the coming days.

Tarik Skubal’s next team prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers