Question: I was thinking about trades, and I read that the O’s would be in consideration for a trade with the Tigers for Tarik Skubal. They could offer front-line talent like Colton Cowser, Coby Mayo, Heston Kjerstad, plus a pitcher, maybe Cade Povich.
Would Tarik be worth the rental? After last season’s unraveling, is this team really worth that rental investment? It feels like we have a lot developmental players but not ones taking that full next step. Are we really rushing this team because we are starved for a competitive team and got a fortunate taste of success in two down years in baseball? From: Les Diver
Answer: Les, last week, it was Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. This week, it’s Tarik Skubal.
I think the idea of trading for Skubal is more realistic than Trout or Harper, but I wonder why the Tigers would want to trade him. He’s the best starter in the American League, and with him, they’ve qualified for the postseason the last two seasons, and came very close to the ALCS this year.
With him, the Tigers could be very good again next season. Without him, they could cede the division to Cleveland or Kansas City, but that’s their problem.
If he were available, I’d certainly consider it. I thought the Orioles trade of DL Hall, Joey Ortiz and a Competitive Balance pick to Milwaukee for Corbin Burnes was a good one even though it was likely Burnes would stay with the Orioles for only a year.
I don’t know what the Tigers would be looking for. I don’t know if your package is realistic, but if Skubal is available, even for a year, that’s something to seriously think about it.
Question: I am not sure if you have answered this recently but considering how he has fared in the postseason, how much of a miss do you think it was for the O’s to have passed on Jeff Hoffman? Considering the closer needs, looks like it could have already been solved if they had looked past the physical. From: Jason Wright
Answer: Jason, this question has not been asked. While I think that Jeff Hoffman could have been the Orioles’ closer for 2026 had they signed him, remember they did trade both Seranthony Domínguez and Andrew Kittredge after Félix Bautista’s injury. Kittredge could have remained an Oriole in 2026 since there was a team option on him.
So, even if they had signed Hoffman to that reported three-year, $40 million contract, he would have been an attractive commodity at the trade deadline.
They were left without an established closer after the deadline, but that didn’t stop them from making those deals.
I don’t think Hoffman would have made much of a difference in their first half. He had a 5.03 ERA in the first half of the season for the Blue Jays.
They had much bigger problems, the lack of effective starting pitching and injuries and underperformance by the position players, than wondering about a closer for 2026.
Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.