Pirates-Tigers 'realistic' trade idea pairs Paul Skenes with Tarik Skubal

Pirates-Tigers ‘realistic’ trade idea pairs Paul Skenes with Tarik Skubal originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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There’s an argument to be made that the Pittsburgh Pirates are a top six team in the National League. 

As of Monday morning, they sat just 0.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the third and final NL Wild Card spot. 

The front office improved the club’s offense during the offseason, bringing in guys like Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn. Of course, Paul Skenes, last year’s NL Cy Young Award winner, leads the starting rotation. 

What if the Pirates could pair Skenes with Tarik Skubal, his Team USA teammate at the World Baseball Classic? 

In Kiley McDaniel’s evaluation of a mock trade from ESPN, he sends Skubal to the Pirates for right-hander Jared Jones, outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, and a Round A competitive balance pick. 

“This also seems like it could actually be a realistic offer if the Pirates decide to get aggressive, and it could be among the best offers Detroit would get,” McDaniel wrote. “Jones could give me 3½ years of performance as a second or third starter at a cheap salary. He just got back from elbow surgery, and his velo is up, so the payoff would be immediate.” 

MORE: Cubs‘ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GM

Presumably, the Tigers’ asking price for Skubal will be high, despite any interested club knowing that they may only get less than half a season from him. 

If the Pirates find a way to trade for Skubal, pairing the back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner with Skenes would almost feel like a cheat code. 

One things for sure: The duo would give the Pirates the advantage in a three or five-game series. 

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