Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris didn’t dance around the topic that has taken over the MLB Winter Meetings: the possibility, or impossibility, of trading superstar left-hander Tarik Skubal.
And if fans were hoping for a dramatic, shut-it-down denial, Harris made something very clear: they’re not getting one.
Speaking with Detroit Free Press insider Evan Petzold on Monday, Harris explained exactly why he won’t publicly declare Skubal “untouchable”, even though the ace is coming off back-to-back Cy Young Awards, an ERA title, and one of the most dominant seasons in franchise history.
“I don’t believe in untouchables on any level, so like anyone in our organization,” Harris told Petzold. “It’s not a commentary on Tarik specifically. It’s sort of a blanket team-building approach.”
What That Actually Means
Harris isn’t shopping Skubal. He isn’t itching to move him. He isn’t hinting that a trade is imminent.
What he is doing is sticking to a core front-office philosophy: you never close the door on anything. Even if the likelihood is almost zero.
Teams know the going rate for an ace of Skubal’s caliber would be astronomical, think multiple top-tier prospects plus MLB-ready pieces. And even then, Detroit would need to be blown away.
Harris’ stance is simply acknowledging reality: if the Dodgers, Orioles, or some other contender calls with an outrageous offer, the Tigers owe it to themselves to listen. That’s how smart organizations operate.
Why Fans Shouldn’t Panic
There’s a difference between listening and actively trying to trade a franchise player. And Harris made no suggestion whatsoever that the Tigers are pushing Skubal out the door.
If anything, he implied the opposite.
Skubal remains under club control through 2027. He’s entering his prime. He’s the face of the pitching staff, and arguably the most valuable Detroit Tiger since Justin Verlander.
Teams ask. Harris listens. But the bar is sky-high.
And unless some team is willing to gut their future, Skubal will almost certainly lead Detroit’s rotation again in 2026.
Bottom Line
Scott Harris isn’t being evasive. He’s being honest.
He won’t call Skubal “untouchable”, because that word doesn’t exist in his roster-building vocabulary. But fans shouldn’t confuse that with any indication that Skubal is on his way out.
Detroit is simply keeping the phone line open, and unless a once-in-a-generation offer appears, their Cy Young ace is staying right where he is.
Jeff Bilbrey
Jeff Bilbrey founded Detroit Sports Nation in 2010 and serves as its owner and editor-in-chief, overseeing editorial direction, publishing platforms, advertising, and social media for one of Detroit's largest independent sports media outlets. A lifelong Michigan sports fan with 20 years of experience in media and technology, Jeff has built DSN into a destination for millions of Detroit fans.
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