BREAKING: Dodgers-Tigers trade for Detroit off Javy Baez’s contract

Rumors are swirling that the Detroit Tigers are receiving significant interest in their ace, Tarik Skubal, as the trade deadline approaches. Previously, I dismissed these trade attempts. Skubal has several years of team control remaining and has been the best pitcher in the league this year. He’s an ace, and I didn’t believe they’d trade him for anything another team would offer.

However, the idea of including Javy Baez’s hefty contract in the deal changes things. Offloading Baez would be addition by subtraction for the Tigers, improving the organization by freeing them from his expensive contract.

Absorbing Baez’s contract would reduce the prospect haul required to acquire Skubal. The Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the interested teams, have the resources and willingness to take on Baez’s contract to secure an ace.

(For more news and rumors, check out MLB Insider Robert Murray’s work on The Baseball Insiders, and join the discord to get the inside scoop as we near the July 30 MLB trade deadline.)

A blockbuster Dodgers-Tigers trade that might work for both sides
This is purely hypothetical. To my knowledge, nothing like this has reached the front offices of either team. They might have considered it, but for the Dodgers to acquire Skubal, everything needs to align perfectly. This is my idea of the perfect trade that could entice Detroit to make a move.