Tigers trade deadline takeaways: Can they stay in it with Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize gone?

SEATTLE — The Tigers made only two trades before Monday’s deadline. Saturday night, they sent Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers for outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handed pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith. Monday, at the deadline buzzer, they sent Casey Mize and infielder Gage Workman to the Padres for left-handers Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf.The Skubal trade was the biggest story in the sport, a deal we will be talking about for years to come. The trade drew mixed reactions from around the league. Some viewed it favorably. The Tigers acquired three prospects, all with high upside. As MLB.com noted, it was the first time since at least 2004 that two top-100 prospects were traded for a rental. Still, others wondered if the Tigers should have held out for even more.Detroit must have been pleased with the return. The Tigers’ trade conversations always seemed to center on the Dodgers. It will be fascinating to hear what Harris has to say Monday evening, when he is expected to take questions from local media for the first time since Opening Day.Hope is a dynamic corner outfielder with a blend of power and speed, though there are chase and swing-and-miss concerns. Ryan is a powerful but oft-injured 27-year-old who boasts electric stuff and could pitch in the majors this year once he has recovered from a hamstring injury. Smith boasts a robust arsenal and slotted in as Detroit’s No. 14 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.Yet the reality is harsh. In Skubal, the Tigers traded one of the best pitchers in franchise history. In Mize, they parted with another quality starter despite still being within striking distance of playoff position.So did Detroit entirely wave the white flag on the 2026 season?Did the Tigers get enough back for Tarik Skubal?Eno Sarris and Derek VanRiperMize goes to the PadresIn the days leading up to the deadline, it seemed like a foregone conclusion the Tigers would trade Skubal. Mize was less certain, given he is eligible for a qualifying offer and was not certain to bring back the type of return worth taking him off the roster.