The chances for a deadline trade involving pitching superstar Tarik Skubal keep rising.

As long as the Tigers continue to be one of MLB’s most underperforming teams and Skubal keeps progressing nicely following elbow surgery, the elements are strong for a trade for the impending free agent.

The Tigers know how quickly things can turn as they rallied late to make the playoffs in 2024 after selling at the deadline. But they’ve been as unlucky as anyone with six starters on the injured list, and also as unproductive as anyone (they’re 4-18 since Skubal went out.)

The two-time defending Cy Young winner has already thrown two encouraging bullpens. And assuming he’s back sometime in June following the early May nanoscope (“Skubal scope”) to remove loose bodies, he will become this deadline’s absolute star.