The Detroit Tigers face a critical decision this offseason regarding their ace left-hander Tarik Skubal. With a reported contract gap of nearly $250 million between the two sides and Skubal entering his final year of team control in 2026, Detroit appears increasingly likely to explore trade options rather than risk losing him to free agency with minimal compensation. Enter the San Francisco Giants, a team with playoff aspirations, financial flexibility, and a desperate need for frontline pitching. This could be the perfect marriage of necessity and opportunity.
Skubal is coming off another dominant campaign in 2025, posting a 2.21 ERA with 241 strikeouts across 195.1 innings while limiting opponents to just 141 hits and 33 walks. He's on track for back-to-back Cy Young Awards, cementing his status as one of baseball's premier aces at just 28 years old. For a Giants team that struggled with pitching consistency throughout 2025 and possesses one of the worst farm systems in baseball, acquiring Skubal would instantly transform their rotation into a championship-caliber unit.
Why the Tigers Should Listen
The financial reality facing Detroit is stark. Skubal's baseline asking price is seen around $400 million, a figure that would make him the highest-paid starting pitcher in baseball history. With Juan Soto's $765 million deal resetting the market for elite talent, Skubal's camp has every reason to push for a record-breaking contract. The Tigers, meanwhile, offered him “well less than” the $170 million Garrett Crochet received from the Boston Red Sox last season. That massive disconnect suggests an extension is highly unlikely.
Trading Skubal during the Winter Meetings would allow Detroit to maximize his trade value and acquire the quality prospects they need to sustain their competitive window. The Tigers have already demonstrated their ability to develop pitching talent and maintain a strong farm system. By moving Skubal now rather than at the 2026 deadline, they can build around their existing young core while stockpiling assets for the future.
The Giants' Desperation and Assets
San Francisco entered 2025 with championship aspirations after acquiring Rafael Devers, but the season exposed critical flaws in their roster construction. Their farm system ranks among the worst in baseball, sitting 28th-30th across multiple rankings. However, recent deadline acquisitions have provided them with tradeable pieces that don't deplete their few remaining top prospects.
The Giants' top prospect, Bryce Eldridge, is widely considered untouchable. The 6-foot-7 first baseman possesses a 70-grade power tool and has already reached Triple-A Sacramento at just 21 years old. Beyond Eldridge, San Francisco has accumulated intriguing young talent through trades, including outfielder Drew Gilbert, right-hander Blade Tidwell, catcher Jesús Rodríguez, and infielder Parks Harber—all acquired at the 2025 deadline.
President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey has shown a willingness to be aggressive in pursuing upgrades. Landing Skubal would give the Giants a true ace to anchor their rotation alongside Logan Webb, creating the type of one-two punch necessary to compete in the National League West.
The Perfect Trade Proposal
Here's what the Giants should offer Detroit to land Tarik Skubal:
Detroit Tigers receive:
- RHP Blade Tidwell (Giants' No. 12 prospect)
- OF Drew Gilbert (Giants' No. 13 prospect)
- C Jesús Rodríguez (Giants' No. 16 prospect)
- 3B Parks Harber (acquired from Yankees)
- SS/2B Gavin Kilen (2025 1st-round pick, No. 13 overall)
- OF Rayner Arias (former top international signing)
San Francisco Giants receive:
- LHP Tarik Skubal
This package gives Detroit exactly what they need: high-upside pitching prospects, position player depth, and young talent at multiple levels of development. Tidwell features a mid-to-upper-90s fastball with an elite sweeper and has already reached Triple-A at 24. Gilbert provides center field defense and on-base skills that could play immediately. Rodríguez offers catching depth behind Jake Rogers, while Harber has hit everywhere he's been assigned, slashing .323/.420/.550 with 13 home runs across 79 games in 2025.
The inclusion of Kilen, San Francisco's 2025 first-round selection from Tennessee, adds a contact-oriented middle infielder with a 60-grade hit tool. Arias, who signed for $2.7 million as the Giants' top international prospect in 2023, provides additional upside despite a challenging 2025 season.
For the Giants, this package notably excludes Eldridge and top international signee Josuar Gonzalez, preserving their future core. The cost is steep—six prospects for one player—but acquiring a pitcher of Skubal's caliber entering his age-29 season justifies the premium. With financial resources to extend Skubal long-term, San Francisco can build around a rotation headlined by one of baseball's best left-handers for years to come.
This trade represents win-now aggression from the Giants and smart asset management from the Tigers, making it the perfect deal for both organizations.
