Imagine a starting rotation for the Boston Red Sox including both Garrett Crochet and Tarik Skubal?

It’s certainly a fun thought and is an idea that has already been speculated about this offseason because of the fact that reports have surfaced — including from Jon Heyman of the New York Post — that Skubal and Detroit have had a “massive gap” in conversations about a new deal. Skubal is under team control for just one more season and is making himself a lot of money right now. He won the 2024 American League Cy Young Award and is the favorite to win the 2025 award as well after leading the league in ERA for the second straight year.

With Skubal seemingly a year away from a historic deal, rumors have popped up — including from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand — throughout the offseason about the idea of a Skubal trade. In no world should a contender like Detroit trade arguably the best pitcher in baseball. But, that’s besides the point. If Detroit makes him available for some reason, what could a deal cost for Boston?

The Athletic’s Red Sox insider Jen McCaffrey addressed this very question and the answer arguably would be perfect for Boston.

“A deal for Skubal most likely starts with Payton Tolle or Connelly Early, in addition to a top young hitter or two,” McCaffrey said. “Roman Anthony is all but off the table. The Tigers might want Marcelo Mayer (even as a lefty hitter), but it seems more likely the Red Sox would offer Double-A shortstop Franklin Arias or Triple-A outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, both top 50 in baseball and top 10 prospects in the Red Sox system. The Tigers may also be interested in Jarren Duran (despite being another lefty), given he’s a proven big leaguer, despite a less productive season compared to his breakout 2024…

Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws against Mariners during the first inning of ALDS Game 5 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“Moreover, as a Scott Boras client, many predict that if he’s traded this winter, he wouldn’t sign an extension with his new team, preferring to enter free agency next winter, when he could fetch $400 million. However, a potential MLB lockout does complicate that scenario a bit. Regardless, I think a Skubal trade at the least starts with Tolle and/or Early, Duran and possibly Garcia or (Franklin Arias). The Red Sox would have to be fairly confident they can sign Skubal to an extension if they gave up that kind of haul.”

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