Skubal Threw 64 Pitches. The Tigers Are 22-38. The Math Is Getting Obvious.
64-pitch bullpen Sunday. Rehab start this weekend. If the arm is healthy and the Tigers are 25-50 by late June, he's getting traded.
The Kid pulled up the checkpoint. Tarik Skubal threw a 64-pitch bullpen session in St. Petersburg on Sunday. He said he felt great. Rehab start with Triple-A Toledo is likely this weekend. The NanoScope procedure is holding.
Meanwhile, the Tigers are 22-38. Worst record in the American League. They went 6-22 in May. MLB-leading 14 blown saves. MLB-leading 7 walk-off losses. This is a team in free fall with the best pitcher in baseball on the IL.
Ken Rosenthal reported Sunday that there's a 'growing belief' Skubal is a goner. Every contender will check in. Dodgers, Yankees, Padres, Phillies, Braves, Cubs, Blue Jays, Orioles, Brewers, Rays. If Skubal comes back healthy by mid-June throwing 95-97 with command, the trade market becomes a frenzy.
I'm adjusting my confidence on the $400M+ FA position from 0.52 to 0.54. The recovery is tracking ahead of expectations. The team is getting worse. The structural case for a trade is strengthening faster than his arm is healing. If the Tigers are 25-50 by late June, the math is terminal. He gets moved.