Even in light of the Red Sox blockbuster trade for Garrett Crochet last offseason, and in light of the stunning midseason deal to dump Rafael Devers, on the whole, the front office has been measured in its approach in the short time that Craig Breslow has been in charge. There’s been a clear focus on developing and implementing positional prospects, as well as a focus on adding a heap of pitching to the farm system.
But the acquisition of Alex Bregman, for example, was always going to be a team-friendly one-year deal, as long as Bregman stayed upright for most of the season. The Red Sox did not invest heavily there, and other than Crochet (plus some team-friendly early extensions), caution has been the overriding theme for this team.
The promise of this team as it is now built, though, opens the possibility for that to change. The Red Sox won 89 games and earned a spot in the playoffs in 2025, and perhaps some boldness is called for in 2026, even if it is risky and costs prospects.
Tarik Skubal Trade Makes Sense Ahead of Free Agency
There is no bolder or more risky move dangling out there for the right organization this winter than a blockbuster trade for Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the two-time Cy Young winner who is coming off a 13-6 season in which he led the league in ERA (2.21) and WAR (6.5), while also posting a WHIP of 0.891, also a league best.
But you know the story on Skubal: The Tigers can’t pay him the kind of stunning long-term salary it would take to keep him in Detroit, and with Scott Boras as his agent, Skubal is all but certain to hit free agency when he is eligible next year. The Tigers are reportedly not shopping Skubal, but they’re listening to offers.
And the Red Sox are among the teams tabbed as one who should be making an offer.
Red Sox Have Interest in Tarik Skubal Trade
The Athletic listed the Red Sox as a team with interest in trading for Skubal in a power pairing with Crochet. At CBS Sports, the Red Sox are listed as the No. 4 suitor for Skubal, behind the Dodgers, Mets and Mariners.
But would Breslow give up prized Red Sox prospects for what would likely be a one-year Skubal rental, with Skubal going into free agency thereafter–similar to what the Yankees did with Juan Soto?
CBS Sports points to Wilyer Abreu and/or Triston Casas as starting points for a deal.
The site adds: “The Red Sox also have the means to include another young, big-league ready hitter — Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer, or even Ceddanne Rafaela — and/or an interesting arm (think Payton Tolle, Brandon Clarke, Kyson Witherspoon, or Connelly Early). That’s without mentioning infielder Franklin Arias, arguably the best player in the system.”
Worthy Risk for Red Sox
Sussing out a potential Red Sox package from that list, it could go something like Casas, Rafaela and Tolle for Skubal. That would be a low-end deal. On the high end, the Red Sox’s cost would be Abreu, Mayer and Witherspoon, this year’s first-round pick.
It’s highly doubtful the Red Sox would include Arias in an impending free-agent trade.
But if the Red Sox could get away with something on the lower end of that player mix, if the Tigers finally resign themselves to giving up Skubal, it would be a risky but worthy gamble for Breslow. It’s a big “if” but it should be at least on the Red Sox’s wish list here in mid-November.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Red Sox Increasingly Tabbed in Trade for Tarik Skubal appeared first on Heavy Sports.