MLB insider reveals possible blockbuster trade that could land Boston two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox have made it known that one of their top priorities this offseason is finding another ace-level pitcher to pair with Garrett Crochet in the No. 2 slot of the rotation. Many critics have linked them to Detroit Tigers two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, as the Sox have the assets to get him.
Advertisement
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden is no different. He believes he has a blockbuster trade proposal that could bring Skubal to Boston without Boston suffering heavy losses.
MORE: Dodgers predicted to break baseball once again by signing $120 million two-time World Series champ, three-time All-Star to replace Max Muncy
The trade would look like this:
Red Sox get: LHP Tarik Skubal
Tigers get: LHP Connelly Early, UT Kristian Campbell, OF Jhostynxon García, RHP Christian Foutch
“The Red Sox are coming off a postseason berth and are looking to build on that momentum. Adding Skubal and pairing him with Garrett Crochet would give Boston the top left-handed duo in baseball,” Bowden wrote.
Advertisement
Skubal’s the real deal; he posted a 13-6 record, a 2.21 ERA, 241 Ks, and a WHIP of 0.891 over 195 innings pitched. He won his second Cy Young this season as well, with his rival in Crochet coming in second. Combining the two into a 1-2 punch would be legendary.
There are a couple of snags to this trade, though. One, Skubal only has a year left on his contract, and if the Sox can’t re-sign him, then they lose four top prospects for a rental. He’s also estimated to cost around $400 million, so if the Sox trade for him, they need to be ready to pay for that.
MORE: Yankees predicted to make blockbuster trade for $426 million three-time MVP to replace Cody Bellinger
The second snag is Connelly Early. Early proved in the final games of the season and Game Three of the Wild Card series that he’s set to be a superstar. The Sox will really not want to give him up, especially when he’ll be so cost-effective for the foreseeable future.
Advertisement
However, if the Sox can make a trade for Skubal without Early AND re-sign him, then they need to pull the trigger as fast as they can.
MORE MLB NEWS
Blue Jays predicted to make blockbuster trade for $426 million three-time MVP to replace Bo Bichette, upgrade from Addison Barger
Giants predicted to pursue $426 million three-time MVP to pair with Rafael Devers
Mets predicted to make blockbuster trade for $426 million three-time MVP to create superstar outfield with Juan Soto, replace Pete Alonso
