Report: Blockbuster Trade Pitch Sends 3 Orioles Prospects for Cy Young Favorite
The Baltimore Orioles are seeking starting pitching ahead of MLB’s July 30 trade deadline and have shown interest in All-Star ace Tarik Skubal. Jim Bowden of The Athletic proposed a trade between the Orioles and the Detroit Tigers on July 25.
In Bowden’s proposal:
– Orioles receive: Tarik Skubal
– Tigers receive: Heston Kjerstad, Coby Mayo (No. 3 prospect), Cade Povich (No. 8 prospect)
Bowden noted that to part with Skubal, Detroit would need “everyday” players. He explained, “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. 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 currently with the Orioles, while Povich, after pitching seven games in MLB this season, is with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. Mayo, also in the minors, is a candidate for a call-up this season.
According to VegasInsider, Skubal is the AL Cy Young favorite on DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. He is the Tigers’ top pitcher, one of the best starters in the majors, having pitched 123 innings in 2024 with 146 strikeouts and a 2.34 ERA.
Bowden: Tigers Would Ask For Jackson Holliday, Samuel Basallo
Bowden acknowledged that any negotiations for Skubal would likely begin with Baltimore’s top two 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 would only trade 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 responded. “The reason I say that is because none of the available starting pitchers 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 mentioned potential health issues as a reason against such a trade.
“Skubal has health concerns, like any pitcher,” Rosenthal continued. “There’s no question he’d upgrade Baltimore’s rotation, but I would keep Jackson Holliday as my starting second baseman going forward.”
Skubal’s 2022 season ended early due to surgery for a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow. He returned in July 2023 and has been healthy since.
Holliday played 10 games with the Orioles this season for his MLB debut. It was a challenging stint for the 20-year-old, who recorded just 2 hits in 34 at-bats.
This experience shouldn’t be seen as a knock on his MLB future, nor as a reason to trade him. While the chances of a Holliday-for-Skubal trade are low, they are not zero.
Collin Loring, who covers the NBA, WNBA, and MLB for Heavy.com, has been a contributor since 2021. His sports coverage has also been featured at FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Strickland.