Detroit’s offseason strategy just took a sharp turn after a collapse, and the move could change the pressure points for the Guardians.NL

As the 2026 MLB season approaches, the American League Central is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing divisions in baseball – not necessarily because of dominance, but because of uncertainty. And while the Cleveland Guardians are facing their own set of questions about direction and identity, they’re not alone. The Detroit Tigers are right there with them, navigating a high-stakes offseason centered around one of the most dominant pitchers in the game: Tarik Skubal.

Let’s be clear – Skubal isn’t just good. He’s been the best pitcher on the planet over the last two seasons.

Back-to-back Cy Young Awards don’t happen by accident, and his numbers against division rivals, especially Cleveland, are downright cruel. A 0.77 ERA in 35 regular-season innings against the Guardians?

That’s not just dominance – that’s ownership. And if that wasn’t enough, he followed it up with a postseason masterpiece: 7 2/3 innings, 14 strikeouts, and total control in a playoff win over Cleveland.

That’s the kind of performance that sticks with a team all winter.

So you’d think the Tigers would be doing everything in their power to build around him, right? Well, not so fast.

Skubal is entering the final year of team control, and while there’s been talk about the Tigers going all-in for 2026, the front office isn’t exactly slamming the door shut on trade conversations. In fact, they cracked it open pretty wide.

President of baseball operations Scott Harris recently said the Tigers “don’t have any untouchables” on the roster. That’s the most direct acknowledgment yet that Skubal, despite his elite status, could be moved.

That’s a big statement – and one that sent shockwaves through the Winter Meetings. Just a day earlier, there was strong sentiment that Detroit should push their chips in and maximize Skubal’s final year before free agency. Now, it sounds like they’re at least listening, even if the asking price is sky-high, as reported by ESPN’s Buster Olney.

Make no mistake: the Tigers aren’t desperate. They’re dealing from a position of strength, and if they do move Skubal, it’s going to take a massive return.

But the fact that Harris didn’t rule it out means this storyline isn’t going away anytime soon. Detroit is already tinkering with the roster – they signed right-hander Drew Anderson to a one-year, $7 million deal – but he hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2021.

That’s more of a depth move than a statement of intent.

So where does this leave the Guardians?

Well, for starters, they’re probably not complaining. Skubal has been a nightmare for Cleveland hitters, and the idea that he could be traded out of the division has to be a welcome one.

Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti didn’t mince words when asked about the possibility of Skubal sticking around: “I’d be happy to face him as little as possible moving forward. He’s really good.”

That’s about as honest as it gets.

Cleveland hasn’t made a splash at the Winter Meetings, and they might not. But that doesn’t mean they’re standing still.

They’ve got a wave of intriguing young talent coming up, and 2026 could be a year of growth – especially if the Tigers take a step back by dealing away their ace. That said, Detroit still has enough firepower to be a serious problem in the division, especially compared to the Twins and Royals, who are facing their own uphill climbs.

At the heart of all this is a simple question: what kind of team do the Tigers want to be in 2026?

If they believe they’re ready to contend, keeping Skubal and building around him makes all the sense in the world. But if they’re not sure – or if they feel the long-term return is too good to pass up – then trading him could reshape the AL Central landscape in an instant.

Either way, the Guardians will be watching closely. And maybe, just maybe, feeling a little bit better about having José Ramírez locked in for the long haul. In a division full of uncertainty, that kind of stability is worth its weight in gold.