The MLB rumor mill is humming as the Winter Meetings approach. Two names keep intersecting in speculation: Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal and the surging Seattle Mariners.
Skubal’s future is a hot topic given his looming free agency and Cy Young pedigree. The Mariners, though, seem more interested in preserving their rising core than gutting the roster for a blockbuster trade.
This offseason in Seattle isn’t about splashy reinvention. It’s about calculated continuity, or at least that’s the sense you get from the chatter.
Tarik Skubal Trade Talk: Smoke, But Probably No Fire
On the surface, Tarik Skubal is exactly the kind of pitcher who could transform any contender’s rotation. He’s a two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner and a Seattle U Hall of Famer.
He’s heading into his contract year with the leverage to command a potentially record-breaking deal for a pitcher. That’s a recipe for aggressive trade rumors as executives gather for the Winter Meetings.
But most folks around the league agree on one thing: Detroit is unlikely to move Skubal this winter.
Why the Tigers Are Expected to Stand Pat
The Tigers are in a familiar bind. If they deal Skubal now, they maximize his value but lose the foundation of their rotation—and honestly, their identity.
Keep him, and there’s a risk he walks next winter without a long-term deal. Still, most signals point to Detroit choosing to keep him, at least for now.
From the Tigers’ perspective:
The Mariners enter the conversation here—not as desperate buyers, but as a club with options and a clear philosophy.
Mariners Double Down on Continuity for 2026
The Seattle Mariners have made their intentions clear: they want to run it back. After a deep playoff run in 2025 that pushed the franchise further than ever, the focus is on maintaining the core, not tearing it apart for a mega-deal.
Their top offseason headline so far? Re-signing first baseman Josh Naylor to a five-year, $92.5 million contract.
Josh Naylor Deal Signals a Long-Term Vision
Naylor’s extension isn’t just a reward for his numbers. It’s a statement about the Mariners’ identity.
He brings power, on-base skills, and an edge that fits with a club expecting to contend again in 2026. By locking in Naylor:
Naylor is only one piece of the continuity puzzle.
Keeping the Lineup Intact: Jorge Polanco and Another Bat
The Mariners’ front office is sticking to a clear blueprint: protect the core that just produced one of the most potent offenses in the American League. A key part of that plan is attempting to re-sign free agent Jorge Polanco.
Offense Built to Complement Elite Pitching
After midseason additions of Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez, the Seattle lineup took off. They finished among AL leaders in:
The Mariners intend to add one more proven bat this winter. The preference is to bring back Polanco, whose switch-hitting and infield versatility are a great fit.
If that doesn’t happen, they’re eyeing alternatives like Brendan Donovan, a veteran with on-base skills and positional flexibility. The goal is simple: tweak, not overhaul.
Offensive reinforcements are meant to support the club’s true backbone—pitching and run prevention.
Rotation Stability: Luis Castillo and the Strength of Pitching Depth
Some fans might dream of adding a star like Skubal, but the Mariners’ front office is more focused on keeping what they already have. That starts with retaining the current starting rotation for 2026.
No player shows that philosophy more than Luis Castillo.
Castillo’s Role as Anchor, Not Trade Chip
Castillo was at the center of trade rumors a year ago, but he stayed in Seattle and rewarded that decision with a 3.54 ERA in 2025. He stabilized the staff when injuries hit other starters.
The club’s stance is clear: he’s a cornerstone, not a trade asset. Castillo is:
This approach fits perfectly with their home park. T-Mobile Park is a pitcher-friendly stadium, and the Mariners have leaned into that reality.
They build staffs that can miss bats, limit damage, and let the ballpark work in their favor. It’s not always flashy, but it’s working for them.
Why a Skubal Blockbuster Doesn’t Fit Seattle’s Plan
Step back for a second, and the puzzle pieces seem to line up. Skubal’s name keeps popping up in rumor columns, probably because of his local ties and the Mariners’ current window to contend.
But honestly, a Skubal blockbuster just doesn’t match what the Mariners want right now.
They’re choosing:
Here is the source article for this story: What we’re hearing about Mariners’ winter trade possibilities
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