The Baltimore Orioles are in the market for starting pitching ahead of MLB’s July 30 trade deadline. They’ve been tied to All-Star ace Tarik Skubal. Jim Bowden of The Athletic drew up a trade proposal between Baltimore and the Detroit Tigers on July 25.
Orioles receive: Skulbal
Tigers receive:
Heston Kjerstad, Coby Mayo (No. 3 prospect), and Cade Povich (No. 8 prospect) are potential trade targets for the Detroit Tigers in exchange for ace pitcher Tarik Skubal. Jim Bowden argued that the Tigers would need to receive “everyday” players in return for Skubal.
“To part with an ace like Skubal, who has two additional years of control, the Tigers would need to get two everyday position players and a starting pitcher they could put right into their rotation,” Bowden wrote. “Mayo and Kjerstad would fit nicely behind Riley Greene in the Tigers’ lineup for years to come, and Povich should develop into a solid mid-rotation starter.”
As of July 25, Kjerstad is with the Orioles. Povich, who has pitched seven games in the MLB this season, is currently with the Triple-A affiliate Norfolk Tides. Mayo, also in the minors, has been mentioned as a call-up candidate this season.
According to VegasInsider, Skubal is the AL Cy Young favorite on DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.
As the No. 1 pitcher for the Tigers, Skubal is among the best starters in the majors. He has pitched 123 innings in 2024, with 146 strikeouts and a 2.34 ERA.
Bowden: Tigers Would Ask For Jackson Holliday, Samuel Basallo
Jim Bowden noted that any trade discussions for Tarik Skubal would likely begin with Baltimore’s top-2 prospects, Jackson Holliday or Samuel Basallo.
“The Tigers would start the conversation by asking for second baseman Jackson Holliday or catcher Samuel Basallo, and the Orioles would immediately reject either one being included in the deal,” Bowden wrote.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on July 23 that Detroit is only willing to deal Skubal for a blockbuster return.
“For all the rightful attention lavished on Skubal, any hope of acquiring him would require the sort of overpay almost no one is willing to consider,” Passan wrote.
Baltimore has the prospects to acquire Skubal. If they view him as the missing piece to their World Series aspirations, they’ll need to consider going all-in. Skubal is under team control through 2026.
Ken Rosenthal Urges Orioles Not To Trade Holliday
In a Q&A column for Sportskeeda, insider Ken Rosenthal told Dan Connolly that he wouldn’t trade Jackson Holliday for any pitcher.
“No,” Rosenthal replied. “The reason I will say that is because none of the starting pitchers who are available are good enough for a Jackson Holliday trade. Even Tarik Skubal. Skubal has two-and-a-half years left of control versus six years of Jackson Holliday, who might be an All-Star position player.”
Rosenthal also cited potential health issues as a reason to avoid such a deal.
“Skubal also has health concerns, like any pitcher,” Rosenthal continued. “There’s no question he’d be an upgrade to the rotation in Baltimore, but, I’m sorry, I ride Jackson Holliday as my starting second baseman going forward.”
Skubal’s 2022 season was cut short due to surgery for a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow. He returned in July 2023 and has been healthy since.
Holliday spent 10 games with the Orioles this season for his MLB debut, recording just 2 hits in 34 at-bats. This performance isn’t a knock on his future potential, nor a reason to trade him.
Given these factors, the chances of a Holliday-for-Skubal swap are low, but not zero.