Orioles surprisingly land Tigers superstar in proposed trade by insider

The Baltimore Orioles have the best farm system in baseball and could use it to its advantage over the next few days.

Baltimore currently is tied with the Cleveland Guardians for the most wins in the American League. The Orioles clearly are contenders to win the 2024 World Series but injuries have significantly impacted their starting rotation this year.

The Orioles likely will add a starter in the coming days and The Athletic's Jim Bowden proposed a hypothetical trade that would land Detroit Tigers superstar Tarik Skubal in Baltimore.

"Tigers trade (left-handed pitcher) Tarik Skubal to Orioles for (outfielder) Heston Kjerstad, (third baseman) Coby Mayo, and (left-handed pitcher) Cade Povich," Bowden said. "The Tigers would start the conversation by asking for second baseman Jackson Holliday or catcher Samuel Basallo and the Orioles would immediately reject either one being included in the deal. However, to part with an ace like Skubal, who has two additional years of control, the Tigers would need to get two everyday position players and a starting pitcher they could put right into their rotation."

A trade of this caliber would cost the Orioles a lot, but Skubal could be worth it. He is the favorite to win the American League Cy Young Award this year and a duo of him and Corbin Burnes could put the Orioles over the top.

Baltimore already is one of the favorites to win the World Series this year, but a playoff rotation featuring Burnes and Skubal would be tough to beat.

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