The Detroit Tigers are currently among the stronger teams in Major League Baseball and also boast one of the league’s most impressive farm systems.
While the team does have a few weaknesses on its roster, it could address these issues by leveraging the depth of its minor league talent. If the Tigers are open to parting with some of their top prospects, they could potentially make a major trade or two.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield recently floated the idea that Detroit could pursue a trade for Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher Paul Skenes. In his proposal, the Tigers would send a package including Max Clark, Kevin McGonigle, Jackson Jobe, Colt Keith, and Sawyer Gipson-Long to Pittsburgh.
Schoenfield argues that even after a trade like this, Detroit would still have key prospects such as shortstop Bryce Rainer (ranked No. 22), first baseman/catcher Josue Briceno, and a solid group of young pitchers. On the Pirates’ side, acquiring Clark and McGonigle could help fill holes in center field and shortstop, where the team currently struggles. Adding Keith would provide a solid MLB-ready player, and Gipson-Long could slot into the back of the rotation.
Although trading away a talent like Skenes would seem unlikely and potentially unwise for the Pirates, the Tigers might be one of the few teams capable of putting together a compelling offer. Even if Detroit parted with top names like Clark, McGonigle, and Jobe, it would still maintain a top-tier farm system.
For Pittsburgh, the offer might be too valuable to dismiss. While Skenes alone can’t carry the team to a championship, the return from such a trade could help build a stronger, more complete roster capable of competing for a title.
Is it likely to happen? Probably not. But it could be a fair and transformative deal for both teams.
