The Boston Red Sox are legitimately closer to acquiring the reigning Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, than everyone seems to think.
Buster Olney touched on the possibility in a piece for ESPN, suggesting that the "Red Sox are well-positioned to make a run at Skubal, if they want."
However, that rumor was quickly shot down by Jeff Passan of ESPN in the same article, saying that "the industry expects Detroit to hold onto him, even with his free agency approaching after the 2026 season."
But let's play mock GM here, shall we? Even if Skubal may not be going anywhere and the rumors may have been overblown, Olney is correct. The Red Sox ARE well-positioned for a run at him.
Players That Should Be in the Deal
If the Red Sox are smart, they should be on that phone right now. Would it be likely that Skubal goes to Boston? Maybe, but if anyone can do it, Boston has the pieces. Triston Casas is one of those pieces. Detroit needs power in that lineup that's not Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter. Spencer Torkelson is good, but he needs another season to prove that he can have consistent power, even if he hit 31 home runs this past season.
Casas can easily be their DH. Colt Keith was their DH this year, and that's not something to be happy about. Other pieces that the Red Sox may dangle could be Jarren Duran, who avoided arbitration, agreeing to a $7.7 million deal for 2026. This doesn't mean he can't be traded. In fact, having a low salary this year will even boost his value. Detroit needs a contact-heavy basestealer, and with a deep outfield in Comerica Park, Duran will have a field day. He'll turn those singles into doubles and doubles into triples. Those numbers would increase, as he's recorded two doubles, two home runs, and five RBIs in nine games in Detroit against the Tigers.
With the Red Sox looking to free themselves from their logjam, and it's been time to do so for over a year now, Duran is the likely candidate to be gone.
The Trade Proposal
Trade Package:
BOS: LHP Tarik Skubal
DET: 1B Triston Casas, OF Jarren Duran, SS Franklin Arias (#1), LHP Payton Tolle (#2), OF Jhostynxon Garcia (#3), RHP Luis Perales (#9)
This works, mainly because of the prospect capital given away, and the number of players that the Red Sox would be giving up that have actual determined value.
Arias has been the #1 prospect with Boston since the promotions of Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Mayer. He overtook the spot and has stayed there at just 19 years old. As for Detroit, they need a middle infielder when Javier Baez most likely leaves in free agency in 2027.
Tolle will most likely be a trade factor as well when it comes to Skubal. However, he should ONLY be involved in a big trade like this one. Tolle had risen from High-A Greenville all the way to the majors before September hit, which is a remarkable rise from a 23-year-old, especially in his first year in the pros. What a way to replace a power-throwing yet deceptive left-hander with a YOUNGER power-throwing yet deceptive left-hander.
As for Garcia, he is a power bat that will be a starter in the majors next year. Hitting over 15 home runs in 2024 and 2025 in the minors should be a recipe for success, especially if it's Detroit having a dire need for power. If he's too much in that Tigers outfield, then RHP Kyson Witherspoon (#4) should also be considered.
Witherspoon is amazing, and fell into the Red Sox's lap at #15 overall. Coming from Oklahoma, he was one of the best right-handed pitchers on the board. In fact, he was supposed to be picked earlier than some of the pitchers that were picked before him, but those other teams went with their pet picks. The 21-year-old is projected to rise through the system just like Tolle did this year, so having him in Detroit's back pocket would be great in case of pitcher injuries.
Meanwhile, Perales was a top prospect in the Red Sox system before he went under the knife for Tommy John Surgery, missing most of his 2024 season and most of 2025 as well. He was immediately called up to AAA Worcester and performed amazingly in his return. He showed no signs of stopping in his limited relief appearances and could make the major league roster at some point next season. Whether that's with Boston or somewhere else is to be determined. But if they're going to trade him, it should be now while he still has potential.
Conclusion
As of right now, so many trades can still be made. So many names, so many teams. However, with Skubal, Boston is the only franchise that has the necessary pieces to consider acquiring him. Skubal, who will be 29 next season, will also need an extension if Boston wants him. There's no possible way that Boston wouldn't want him long-term if they're giving that many players away in a deal.
So if his name can even be considered in trade talks this offseason, Craig Breslow should be the first on the other line.