MLB rumors: Why the Tarik Skubal-Jackson Holliday deal concept between the Orioles and Tigers is unrealistic
Although the baseball world would be rocked by this transaction, the Tigers and Orioles know what’s best for business.
Trade speculations are a given when an ace pitcher on a team outside of the playoffs. That is the situation with Tarik Skubal, the Cy Young Award contender for the Detroit Tigers who is a hot commodity a few days before the MLB trade deadline. Skubal’s name is still brought up in trade discussions even if there hasn’t been any movement on a real transaction.
Simultaneously, the Baltimore Orioles have been named several times as the perfect destination in the event of a Skubal move. They are in a position to consistently compete in the World Series for the foreseeable future, and they have enough prospect money to buy a No. 1 pitcher with several years of control. All sides seem to be well matched by it.
Jackson Holliday, who is widely regarded as Minor League Baseball’s top prospect, is one of those prospects. Trading baseball’s unquestionably best prospect is inconceivable for a franchise, but Tarik Skubal’s skill may make it worthwhile.
Although it’s a great hypothetical to toss about, MLB insider Jeff Passan reports that such a trade is absurd.
Passan wrote, “The discussion is more bar chatter than realistic.” “The Orioles would cringe at the thought of dealing Holliday, and the Tigers would want more than him, if only to lessen the risk if he blows. Though it’s moot, it’s nonetheless entertaining to think about, if only because the game is desperate for a major change and doesn’t seem to be getting any better.
Holliday’s initial stay in the major leagues was limited to two weeks, despite being promoted by the Orioles in April. The 20-year-old is healthy again in Triple-A after losing time due to an injury, but Baltimore is not in a hurry to trade or promote him back to the majors.
