​The Tampa Bay Rays currently sit atop the American League East as the All-Star break approaches, and that also means the trade deadline is fast approaching. The deadline this season falls on August 3, and with the Rays likely to be aggressive buyers, there could be exciting additions on the horizon for the club.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Rays are preparing to be aggressive in the trade market and have their sights set on Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers as a target this summer. Nightengale writes that “the Rays, who suddenly are seeing that the AL is wide open for the taking, plan to be aggressive buyers at the deadline.” He notes that they aren’t stopping with Skubal, however, mentioning that they have shown interest in whether the Diamondbacks would part with second baseman Ketel Marte and that they’d consider Giants All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez as a contingency plan.
The Rays have previously pursued superstar-level talent, including interest shown in Shohei Ohtani during the 2023 season when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. Now, the focus is on potentially pairing Skubal with Tampa Bay’s rotation, a move that would carry a hefty price tag but could be worth it. Skubal, who won back-to-back Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025, would be a remarkable addition to the Rays’ already strong pitching staff. With a 3.06 ERA through 12 starts this season, a 5-4 record, and a 1.9 bWAR across 12 outings for Detroit, Skubal’s value is unmistakable. After elbow surgery, he missed time but has delivered solid results since returning, posting 84 strikeouts in 70.2 innings and an 140 ERA+ during that stretch.
A move to Tampa Bay would likely pair Skubal with Shane Rasmussen, Shane McClanahan, and Nick Martinez, forming one of MLB’s best four-man rotations. Yet there is a caveat: the Tigers might not be inclined to sell, and Rays fans should keep an eye on Detroit’s postseason standing in the lead-up to the deadline, as the Tigers’ situation could influence Skubal’s availability. Nevertheless, the prevailing expectation is that the Rays will press forward with an aggressive pursuit of Skubal this summer. While there’s no guarantee a deal lands, the organization is positioned to be in the mix for the left-handed ace as the deadline draws near.