Does Skubal To Braves Make Sense?
Does Skubal To Braves Make Sense?
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As summer starts to run the thermostat up a couple degrees each day, another element begins to heat up as well…The MLB Trade Market.
One name that keeps being brought up is the back-to-back reigning Cy Young Award Winner in Terik Skubal. While Skubal has been on the 15-day Injured List since the start of May with “Loose bodies in his left elbow” Skubal’s name is still the top target available in the trade market in 2026.
While there is a hefty portion of Braves Country that scoff at the notion of the Braves throwing their hat in contention for the prized left-hander and think “just another year we’re in the discussion, but no move,” this year may be the year that the blockbuster trade calls Atlanta home.
Skubal has been a Tiger his whole career since being the 9th round selection by Detroit in 2018 out of Seattle University.
The lefty made his MLB Debut about 2 years later in 2020 with 7 starts and 8 appearances with the big club, and the numbers have improved ever since.
Ever since 2023, Skubal hasn’t had an ERA above a 3.00 for the last 4 seasons. The 2024 and 2025 AL Cy Young Award Winner, recorded the most strikeouts in the AL in 2024 and 2nd most Ks in the AL last season in 2025.
So why now? Why would the Braves be the prime landing spot for the 29-year-old south paw?
One of the big reasons is when you look at all of the moves that Alex Anthopolous has made the last 4-5 years to lock up fixture pieces to long-term extensions, there are very few open spots in the lineup and defensive positions, so pitching is one of the few areas for opportunities.
Shortstop is the only position that would be up for grabs after 2027 if the current landscape for the Braves holds, and the only other contract that expires before 2029 is Ozzie Albies who comes to the end of his extension in 2028.
So not only is there not a ton of space to go and get another bat to bolster this already stout lineup, but it also has a backlog of talent in the minor leagues that is appealing to other teams (including the Tigers).
Cam Caminiti and JR Ritchie seem to be the prize picks for the Braves minor league organization but position players like Tate Southisene and Alex Lodise are young (19 & 22 respectively), but profile to have huge upsides down the line.
Alex Anthopolous has shown his willingness to part with young minor league pieces in order to bring in “right now” talent to win a World Championship and Skubal could be the next piece in this.
Now you may be asking “Why would the Braves go after someone that’s on the injured list right now?” Reports have stated that Skubal would start his rehab appearance beginning this weekend and could rejoin the big club after just one rehab start with High-A Western Michigan, so he is close to his return.
No doubt the price will be high. Skubal signed a 1 year, $32 million contract prior to this season, but I believe it could be worth it to not only have Skubal the rest of the season, but to sign him for a 3–4-year deal in addition to in order to bolster the already dangerous rotation for the next few years.
Chris Sale is 37, and has the club option throughout the 2028 season, but after that you’re probably looking for someone to replace the top of your rotation, and what better place to look than right down the line that’s already in place.
