The Detroit Tigers are facing a pivotal moment in their season. With ace Tarik Skubal sidelined for elbow surgery, the team is suddenly in need of reinforcements to keep their playoff hopes alive. And according to insiders, a blockbuster trade for a former Cy Young winner could be the answer.

Skubal, widely regarded as the best pitcher in the American League, is expected to miss two to three months after undergoing a procedure to remove loose bodies in his left elbow. While he's projected to return before the end of the regular season, the first-place Tigers can't afford to let their rotation slip in the meantime.

That's where Sandy Alcantara comes in. The Miami Marlins' right-hander is a two-time All-Star and the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner. After a down year in 2024, Alcantara has rediscovered his dominant form this season, even tossing a complete game in April. With a $21 million club option for 2027, he's a high-impact rental that won't come cheap—but for a team with championship aspirations, the price might be worth it.

MLB insider Mark Feinsand recently named Alcantara as the "most-selected player" in an executive poll predicting the biggest name traded before the deadline. And with Skubal's injury creating a clear need, the Tigers have every reason to make a call.

Pairing Alcantara with a healthy Skubal later this season would give Detroit a one-two punch that could carry them deep into October. For a franchise that's been building toward contention, this could be the move that turns a promising season into a special one.