It's unknown at this time if the Detroit Tigers will actually trade two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, but it's clear that there is going to be heavy interest in the lefty if he becomes available.
Clubs like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, and the Chicago Cubs have been talked about as potential landing spots for the superstar. But they aren't the top American League dark horse. That is the Tampa Bay Rays, per The Athletic's Will Sammon, Patrick Mooney, and Katie Woo.
"Tier 2: Everyone’s favorite dark horse," Sammon, Mooney, and Woo wrote. "Team: Tampa Bay Rays. According to multiple executives, whenever the Rays’ playoffs odds are high, they’ve always tried to go big-game hunting. One year, they added Nelson Cruz. Another year, they tried for Shohei Ohtani.
"If Skubal becomes available, the industry expects the Rays to act aggressively. The Rays and the Yankees are the two top teams in what is otherwise a mediocre American League. They are looking for a starter, and Skubal, alongside Drew Rasmussen and Shane McClanahan would create a formidable trio for the playoffs."
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The Rays have the best record in the American League at 59-42. This is a club that has also shown over the years that they know how to get the most out of pitchers.
Imagine if Skubal landed there?
The Rays would undoubtedly be the favorites in the American League and would even have a shot at taking down the Los Angeles Dodgers.