The Detroit Tigers have revised their trade deadline priorities, focusing less on infield needs and more on acquiring a controllable starting pitcher, creating uncertainty around Tarik Skubal’s role. This change comes amid mounting challenges in the team’s rotation as they prepare for a competitive season.

Starting Pitcher Emerges as Detroit’s Most Urgent Trade Target

While the Tigers once appeared focused on reinforcing third base, recent developments show that the pitching staff has become the primary concern. With Colt Keith securing the third base position and Matt Vierling’s return from injury, Detroit’s corner infield looks stable. However, the pitching rotation is struggling to maintain consistency.

Key contributors like Jackson Jobe are sidelined for the season due to an elbow injury, and Jack Flaherty’s performance has been unreliable. Though Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize have been steady at the front of the rotation, other starters have posted uneven results or missed time. The uncertainty surrounding the rotation highlights the need for a reliable starting pitcher, especially one with multiple years of team control.

Long-Term Starting Pitchers at the Center of Trade Discussions

According to MLB.com’s Jason Beck, Detroit is targeting pitchers like Mitch Keller and Sandy Alcantara, who offer more than just short-term help due to their extended control periods. This aligns with the Tigers’ aim to acquire a starter who can contribute immediately and remain a fixture on the staff well beyond 2025.

This urgency is compounded by the status of Tarik Skubal, the team’s current ace and reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. Skubal is under contract through the 2026 season but lacks a longer extension, leaving the Tigers at risk of losing him or facing a costly contract renewal. The team needs a capable replacement ready to shoulder the rotation if Skubal departs.

Implications for Detroit’s Postseason Ambitions

The Tigers are positioned as a playoff contender entering the latter half of the season, making the trading strategy critical for October success. They must secure a dependable starting pitcher who can stabilize the rotation and help transform the pitching staff into a postseason-caliber unit. Ensuring the acquisition has sufficient control years is vital to avoid the pitfalls of expensive free-agent signings down the line.