Tigers Slow-Walk Tarik Skubal Talks as Angels Could Move 2 of 3 Top Trade Chips

Q: As the Angels dangle controllable young stars, which rival franchise is secretly preparing a blockbuster package to steal them away?

The Boston Red Sox appear to be the most credible rival quietly assembling a potential blockbuster for the Angels’ controllable talent, especially shortstop Zach Neto. That is the clearest read from the market. Multiple reports tie Boston directly to Neto, and industry reporting says the Angels would likely demand top shortstop prospect Franklin Arias in any serious deal. Boston’s urgency is obvious: it is actively seeking a shortstop upgrade, has already explored other options such as Otto Lopez, and has the prospect depth to make a real offer. The fact that Arias and even Marcelo Mayer have surfaced in deadline speculation suggests the Red Sox are at least weighing the kind of premium package the Angels want. The Tampa Bay Rays are the other major threat. They have also been linked to Neto and have both the need in the middle infield and the farm depth to push hard. Because Tampa and Boston are division rivals, the Angels could use one against the other to drive up the return. Still, if the question is which club is “secretly preparing” the strongest blockbuster push, Boston fits best. Its need is more public and pressing, its farm is deep enough to absorb a painful trade, and several reports specifically frame Neto as the kind of player who would cost the Red Sox one of their most prized young assets. So the best answer is Boston, with Tampa Bay as the main competing bidder rather than the favorite.

3 articles · Updated · MLB.com · Aug 1

Detroit had not seriously engaged interested clubs on Tarik Skubal as of Saturday morning, despite preliminary prospect-name discussions and expectations that the Tigers would sell.
A 13-1 win over Oakland cut the Tigers' AL Wild Card gap to 3 1/2 games, giving them reason to keep open the option of holding their ace through Monday's 6 p.m. ET deadline.
San Diego's Mason Miller now looks likely to stay put after the Padres won 6 of 7; teams seeking relievers told ESPN a trade would be a shock given his astronomical price.
The Angels have emerged as a pivotal seller, with rivals expecting them to move at least 2 of Reid Detmers, José Soriano and Zach Neto as controllable bats and starters remain scarce.
Baltimore is still weighing both paths after dealing Dean Kremer, while trade talks have also touched controllable players such as Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday and Colton Cowser.