What happened: ESPN published nine hypothetical trade frameworks centered on Tarik Skubal as the MLB trade deadline approaches. The piece treats the left-hander as the most coveted arm potentially available, sketching out packages that contending clubs might assemble to land him. No deal is in place; the scenarios are speculative.

Why it matters: Skubal is the rare front-line starter who could reshape a contender's rotation, so even renewed speculation about his availability moves the deadline market. How Detroit weighs a sale against a competitive window will set the tone for the rest of the league's deadline plans.

What to watch: Watch whether Skubal's rehab progresses on schedule and whether Detroit signals a willingness to listen as the deadline nears.