Brewers trade update on Tarik Skubal odds is not what fans want to hear

1 hour ago 1

The Milwaukee Brewers are heading towards the 2026 MLB trade deadline atop the National League alongside the Los Angeles Dodgers, and in a clear position to be major buyers.

With a need in the starting rotation, pursuing someone like Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers would seem like a no-brainer for the World Series contenders.

However, MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided.com revealed an update for the Brewers' odds to land Skubal, and it's the kind of update that Brewers fans won't like to hear, as a trade is "unlikely" according to Murray.

Brewers 'unlikely' to trade for Tarik Skubal

"I've advocated for the Brewers to make a splash - a Tarik Skubal-level splash - but I don't get the feeling that's overly likely," Murray writes. "Milwaukee is armed with the best farm system in baseball, and I'd expect them to use it to add a pitcher and potentially a bat."

While the Brewers seem like a great fit for Skubal, and Murray himself is advocating as such, he doesn't believe they're going to be a likely landing spot for Skubal.

The Tigers pitcher might not even be traded, so Brewers fans shouldn't expect Skubal to come to Milwaukee. But if the Tigers sell, it wouldn't be strange for the Brewers to be in on him.

Even with Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison, the Brewers really could use another frontline starter for the postseason with Brandon Woodruff hurt, and a few others also on the injured list this season.

MORE: Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani injury update essentially ends Cy Young chances

Skubal, who has a 2.83 ERA this season with 2.5 bWAR in 14 starts for the Tigers after missing a lot of time due to injury and surgery, will be very expensive if he's on the trade block.

The Brewers have the means to swing such a blockbuster deal, but Murray expects them to instead upgrade their offense and add a pitcher instead of putting all of their assets into a Skubal trade.

This update from Murray isn't the one Brewers fans will want to hear, but it's too soon to count them out just yet. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Brewers were the winners of the Skubal sweepstakes, but it's just not looking very likely right now, according to Murray.