The Detroit Tigers are struggling as the summer approaches. Through 42 games, the Tigers are in last place in the AL Central with a 19–23 record. The 2026 MLB season was expected to be a good one for Detroit; However, injuries have taken a significant toll on the organization.
Now, the Tigers may be on the verge of selling some of their key pieces before the 2026 MLB trade deadline.
Detroit Tigers labeled as potential seller at 2026 MLB trade deadline
USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale listed the Tigers as a team to watch as sellers at the 2026 MLB trade deadline. As of now, Detroit is just 1.5 games out of the final wild card spot and three games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central.
The Tigers have plenty of time to turn their season around, but it’s notable that they are being labeled as potential sellers. In fact, it focuses on starting pitcher Tarik Skubal, who is expected to miss one to two months after undergoing elbow surgery to remove a loose body.
Skuable is set to enter MLB free agency after the 2026 season. If Detroit does indeed become a seller and fall out of contention, it would make sense to trade the back-to-back Cy Young Award winner to maximize his value. If not, the Tigers will waste Skubal’s last season in Detroit and lose him for a draft pick.
There are other players like Jack Flaherty and Gleyber Torres who will also become free agents. It’s the start of the 2026 MLB season, but the Tigers need to change the direction of their campaign. The goal should be to transform yourself into a buyer, not a seller.
How the Detroit Tigers can become a buyer during the 2026 season
Detroit is still firmly in contention, but the 2026 MLB season may be over. The Tigers have struggled with a plethora of injuries, especially to their pitching staff. Of the original five starting pitchers, only Flaherty and Framber Valdez remain in the rotation to start the season.
Meanwhile, Javier Baez and Kerry Carpenter are not in the lineup due to injuries. This also doesn’t include Parker Meadows, who is recovering from a broken hand. Needless to say, it’s clear what Detroit needs to do moving forward. If the Tigers want to be a buyer, he’ll have to get healthy soon.
There are very few, if any, teams in MLB that can avoid so many injuries. The Tigers had great starting pitching depth to start the 2026 MLB season, but it quickly disappeared. Detroit desperately needs its players back and healthy for the remainder of the regular season.
If not, the Tigers would continue to fall in the American League standings. At the moment, the loss is not bad. Detroit has missed two games in the 2026 MLB postseason. However, the Tigers know they cannot afford to suffer so many injuries, and things must improve to keep their postseason dreams alive.
READ MORE: MLB Rumors – New Tarik Skubal contract projection revealed after injury
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