BLOCKBUSTER TRADE ALERT: Insider Jim Bowden Proposes Massive Deal Landing Red Sox Two-Time Cy Young Winner Tarik Skubal.vc
(BOSTON) — The Boston Red Sox’s quest for an elite frontline starter has been linked to the most sensational name on the trade market: Detroit Tigers ace and two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.2
MLB insider and former General Manager Jim Bowden of The Athletic has revealed a possible blockbuster trade package that he believes could persuade the Tigers to part with their superstar lefty, who is entering his final year of club control.3
If executed, the deal would pair Skubal with the Red Sox’s current ace, Garrett Crochet, giving Boston arguably the most dominant 1-2 left-handed punch in modern baseball.4
The Proposed Blockbuster Package
Bowden’s proposal highlights the Red Sox’s unique advantage: a deep farm system overflowing with position players who are currently blocked at the major league level. The trade is centered on a four-player package designed to give the Tigers immediate MLB-ready talent and high-upside pitching prospects:
| Player Sent to Detroit (Tigers) | Position | Prospect Rank/Status | Role for Tigers |
| Connelly Early | LHP | Red Sox No. 6 Prospect | Immediate rotation replacement with front-line potential. |
| Kristian Campbell | INF | MLB-Ready/Contracted | Middle infield depth and immediate big league bat. |
| Jhostynxon García | OF | Top 85 MLB Prospect | High-upside outfielder to fill long-term hole. |
| Christian Foutch | RHP | High-Velocity Relief Prospect | Power bullpen arm for the future. |
Why the Red Sox are “Well-Positioned”
The trade chatter is not random. The Red Sox, under Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, are seen as the perfect fit for a Skubal trade for two key reasons:
- The Outfield Logjam: The inclusion of top outfield prospects like Jhostynxon García and possibly a big leaguer like Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu (depending on the final package) helps the Tigers while solving Boston’s most pressing roster issue.
- The Pitching Need: Skubal, who posted a phenomenal 2.21 ERA in 2025, is exactly the foundational piece Breslow has promised to acquire.5 Pairing the 28-year-old Skubal with Crochet would instantly make the Red Sox a legitimate American League contender.
The ultimate hurdle remains the same: Skubal is a Scott Boras client and is highly unlikely to sign an extension before hitting free agency next winter.6 Any team trading for him must be confident in its ability to win the World Series in 2026, as they are essentially giving up a massive package for one year of an ace.
