Despite their disappointing start to the season, the Detroit Tigers can still sneak into the playoffs.

However, A.J. Hinch's team might still need to part ways with Tarik Skubal, as they're not good enough to make a deep playoff push, even with him.

Moreover, they couldn't get a deal done with their ace before the start of the season, and it's hard to believe that situation will change in the offseason.

According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, they may have finally come to terms with the idea of trading him, and a move could be in the works right now.

The Tigers are fielding calls for Tarik Skubal

“Tarik Skubal update, Saturday morning: The Tigers have had preliminary discussions of prospect names with other clubs, as they seek to determine which teams — if any — will meet the high threshold to move Skubal,” Morosi shared on X.

Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll trade the two-time AL Cy Young winner. 

Nevertheless, Skubal is slated to have a huge market in free agency, and if they didn't want to pay him when they could keep him around for the long run, it's hard to believe they will strike a deal this time around.

Simply put, the Tigers have lost all leverage in this situation. They're essentially risking that he walks away without anything in return.

Even on a rental, Skubal should probably be the biggest fish in the trade market ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline, and several teams should be keeping tabs on his situation right now.

That said, the Los Angeles Dodgers might be ahead of the rest of the pack, not only because they have the financial resources to give him the type of deal he wants and deserves, but also because they have the prospects to get a deal done, not to mention an injury-riddled rotation that could use a boost.