The Baltimore Orioles have done almost everything right this winter. They’ve strengthened their lineup, raised their offensive ceiling, and transformed from a bottom-of-the-MLB team into a regular contender in 2026 top contender predictions. But the more you look at their current roster, the more apparent a gap becomes—no one is truly at the top of the rotation.
And that’s why Tarik Skubal’s name is starting to resonate as a statement.
According to Zachary D. Rymer (Bleacher Report), the Orioles could address this with a direct trade with the Detroit Tigers: trading their future for a genuine ace. Not a project. Not a “potential” one. It’s a two-time pitcher, Cy Young, who just finished the season with a 2.21 ERA, 241 strikeouts, and a WHIP under 0.90.
It’s no longer about patching a hole. It’s about restructuring their ambitions.
The Orioles currently have Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, and Shane Baz—names good enough to create a solid rotation. But in the playoffs, “good enough” is rarely enough. October always demands someone who can pitch Game 1, win the ball back in the most intense situations, and slow down the entire series. Skubal is that kind of pitcher.
Interestingly, Rymer didn’t say the Orioles were building for the long term. He said it straight: “rent him.” This means Baltimore is willing to trade Dylan Beavers, Trey Gibson, and Luis De Leon for a season—but a season that could change the franchise’s trajectory.
That’s the clearest sign of win-now mode.
Detroit, of course, has reason to hesitate. The proposed package has depth and upside, but no pitcher is good enough to replace Skubal immediately. The Tigers don’t need a new Skubal—they need someone to keep the rotation from collapsing. And that’s the biggest sticking point in any negotiations.
For the Orioles, the risks are obvious. Skubal won’t come cheap. And if things don’t go right, Baltimore could lose three young assets for a season left unfinished. But the biggest risk… might be doing nothing at all.
Because the Orioles’ current lineup is in its prime. Gunnar Henderson, Taylor Ward, Pete Alonso, Jordan Westburg — this isn’t the kind of players to patiently wait for “another two years.” This is the kind of team that needs an ace to transform from a “strong team” into a formidable one.
If Baltimore believes they only need one more piece to truly enter the American League championship race, then Skubal isn’t just the best option. He’s the only logical one.
The question is no longer “Do the Orioles have enough prospect?”. They do.
The question is: do they dare accept the fact that the championship window won’t stay open forever?
Tarik Skubal, even without changing jerseys, has inadvertently exposed that. And if that name continues to be mentioned, it will no longer be a rumor. It will be a message: Baltimore is no longer satisfied with “progress.” They want to win—now.
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