Tigers president defends return in Skubal trade — SkimNews
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- Scott Harris defended the Skubal return and dismissed the notion the Tigers should have waited until deadline day to maximize value, saying "that's garbage" and that markets for top players don't work that way
- Tigers received outfield prospect Zyhir Hope (praised for power-speed combo and bat-to-ball skills), pitcher River Ryan (Harris expects a September call-up as a front-of-rotation starter), and starter-prospect Brady Smith (elite changeup)
- Industry executives and scouts questioned the return, noting the Dodgers have as many as four outfield prospects graded higher than Hope and that Tampa Bay and Milwaukee — also deep in Skubal talks — possess deeper farm systems
- Casey Mize was also dealt to the San Diego Padres for 2024 first-round pick Kash Mayfield; Harris called it "irresponsible" not to trade both given their impending free agency
- Tarik Skubal, the reigning back-to-back AL Cy Young winner, went 31-10 with a 2.30 ERA and 469 strikeouts from 2024-25 and will hit free agency in three months, represented by Scott Boras, with Harris acknowledging Skubal's right to test the market
- Harris kept second baseman Gleyber Torres and closer Kenley Jansen — both pending free agents — because the returns didn't justify losing their 2025 impact; the Tigers sit at 54-58, 2½ games out of a playoff spot
- Harris pointed to Pete Crow-Armstrong and Zack Wheeler — both acquired for star players approaching free agency — as evidence that impact talent can come from these deals, adding the Tigers' prospects have comparable ceilings
Why it matters: The Tigers surrender a generational, back-to-back Cy Young-winning ace with a 2.30 ERA from 2024-25 for three prospects whose industry grades vary, accelerating a sell cycle that leaves Detroit 2½ games out of a wild-card spot with five teams to jump — and Skubal's looming free agency means the Dodgers now control the most dominant pitcher on the market.
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