The Seattle Mariners came tantalizingly close to securing their first-ever World Series berth, pushing their postseason journey all the way to a decisive Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. Now, as the organization looks ahead and evaluates how to take the next step, one name stands out above all others as a potential difference-maker—someone who could elevate the franchise from playoff contender to legitimate World Series favorite. That player is Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
Skubal, who has an existing connection to Seattle from his college days at Seattle University, has ascended into the highest tier of Major League Baseball pitchers. He is coming off back-to-back seasons in which he claimed the American League Cy Young Award, an honor that cements him among the elite.
His combination of power, command, pitch development, and durability has turned him into one of the most desirable arms in the sport. That alone makes him a dream addition for many teams, but for the Mariners—who are on the cusp of achieving something unprecedented in franchise history—he represents exactly the kind of transformational player who could tip the scales.
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Rumors have begun circulating that Skubal’s name could surface in trade conversations. Although the Detroit Tigers have not made any formal indication that they are shopping him, some analysts believe there is at least a small window in which a trade might occur. ESPN writer David Schoenfield examined the landscape of potential blockbuster moves involving elite pitchers this offseason, and when it came to identifying the most logical landing spot for Skubal, he chose Seattle as the team that fits the criteria best.
Schoenfield emphasized, however, that the odds of Skubal actually being traded remain low. He estimated only about a 10 percent chance that Detroit even considers moving him. But if Tigers general manager Scott Harris does entertain offers, Schoenfield argues that the Mariners are uniquely positioned to construct the type of aggressive, prospect-rich deal that could realistically sway Detroit.
In his analysis, Schoenfield outlined the necessary elements a team would need to offer to acquire a player of Skubal’s caliber. Most importantly, such a team would need a deep and talented farm system. It would also need to be a club unlikely to pursue Skubal in free agency once his contract concludes, meaning it must acquire him through trade if it wants him at all.
And finally, it must be a franchise searching for that final push to reach the championship stage—a team with a competitive roster already in place but lacking one definitive superstar pitcher at the top of the rotation.
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According to Schoenfield, the Mariners check every one of these boxes. Seattle’s organization is stocked with controllable young talent, including several promising starting pitchers already contributing at the major-league level. He specifically mentioned George Kirby and Bryce Miller as potential pieces Seattle could include in a trade package.
Beyond that, Seattle’s minor-league system is loaded with premium pitching prospects. Right-hander Emerson Hancock Anderson ranks as the No. 16 prospect in all of baseball, while J.P. Sloan is No. 43 and switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje sits at No. 96. These are the kinds of players capable of headlining a blockbuster deal.
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Even more impressive, despite trading top catching prospect Harry Ford only days earlier, the Mariners still possess four other position-player prospects ranked inside the top 100. Schoenfield did clarify that shortstop Colt Emerson is considered untouchable by Seattle’s front office, but the club still has considerable depth.
That depth, he argues, allows the Mariners to make an aggressive offer without compromising the long-term health of the organization. It is rare for a team to have such a blend of major-league readiness, prospect capital, and competitive urgency, which is why Seattle stands out.
If the Mariners were to pull off such a trade, the reaction around baseball—and especially within Seattle—would be enormous. Fans already energized by the team’s ALCS run would experience an even greater surge of excitement, one that would likely push preseason expectations to their highest level in franchise history. Adding a reigning two-time Cy Young winner to a rotation that already includes Logan Gilbert, Kirby, Miller, and others would instantly create one of the most dominant pitching staffs in the sport.
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Such a move would also significantly shift the narrative surrounding the franchise. Instead of being viewed as a dark-horse contender or a team trying to finally break through decades of postseason frustration, the Mariners would enter the season with a World Series-or-bust mentality.
This would be unfamiliar territory for a fan base that has endured long stretches of disappointment and remains the only MLB franchise never to play in a World Series. Yet, despite the pressure that would come with such expectations, the reward could be extraordinary.
Bringing Skubal to Seattle would symbolize a clear message from the front office: the window to compete is wide open, and the organization is willing to make bold, aggressive moves to pursue a championship. It would also mark a continuation of their strategy of building around elite pitching while supplementing with select high-impact players. For a team that had to watch division rivals like the Astros and Rangers hoist the trophy in recent years, the chance to finally rise above them would carry immense significance.
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More than just his on-field excellence, Skubal’s connection to Seattle adds an emotional layer. A return to the city where he developed as a collegiate athlete would create an instant storyline. Fans would rally around the hometown tie, and Skubal himself might embrace the chance to pitch in an environment where he has roots. That added familiarity could help ease the transition, should a trade materialize.
Of course, all of this remains hypothetical. Detroit may very well decide to hold onto its ace, especially if the organization believes it is ready to build a competitive roster around him. But even the faint possibility of Skubal becoming available is enough to stir intrigue. For the Mariners, it represents a rare chance to acquire someone who might single-handedly change the trajectory of the franchise.
And so, Mariners fans wait. If the improbable were to happen—if Tarik Skubal were somehow traded to Seattle—it could redefine the club’s future and reshape expectations. It would make what was already an exciting chapter feel like the beginning of something much bigger. With Skubal in town, the rest of the league would have no choice but to take notice
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