On Wednesday, ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney said that the Seattle Mariners would be aggressive in trying to trade for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal this offseason. 

While there's no guarantee that the Tigers actually move Skubal, it makes sense that they will listen given that Skubal is set to be a free agent after the season and there's no sign of a contract extension in sight.

Once the report came out, some M's fans got very excited at the idea of getting Skubal. Others got nervous at the idea of "giving up too much," "mortgaging the future" and "ruining the idea of sustainable winning."

And look, there is always a limit when it comes to what you'll give up in any deal. You have to be responsible about what you give away, but when it comes to trading prospects away? You can't be so close-minded.

The goal is to win the World Series. The Mariners almost did that this season. If there is a move, or moves, out there that help them get over the hump in 2026, you have to strongly consider it.

I appreciate that the Mariners have been good for the last five years. I appreciate that they have had five winning seasons in a row. That kind of sustainable and repeatable "goodness" has been fun. But the goal is to win the World Series. Let's not forget that.

Sometimes, prospects matriculate to your big-league roster like Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, Bryce Miller, Cole Young and Ben Williamson, and sometimes? They help you land other players that can help your big-league roster.

Remember: That's how the Mariners acquired Randy Arozarena, Luis Castillo, Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez (both times). Prospects can be useful on multiple fronts.

The Houston Astros dealt prospects to acquire Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke and Gerrit Cole and guess what? They won the World Series in 2017 and 2022. And? They were in the ALCS for seven straight years. Trading prospects helped them in the now - and didn't ruin their future.

The Mariners traded elite prospects for Castillo, and the farm was fine. They traded solid prospects for Suarez in 2022, and the farm was fine. If you trust this front office to scout, draft and develop, you have to trust that they can keep replenishing the farm.

Again, there's always a limit, but you have depth in your farm system for a reason. Eventually, if you think the right move is there, you have to be OK with cashing in your chips.

We talked more about this on the Refuse to Lose podcast on Friday, and you can listen to that here.

LATEST PODCAST IS OUT: Brady Farkas is back for the the latest episode of the Refuse to Lose podcast! He talks about all angles of the Tarik Skubal trade conversation, including if the Mariners actually need him, and then he's joined by ESPN Radio host Freddie Coleman, who talks heartbreaking losses, and even gives a little Seahawks insight. CLICK HERE: 

COULD M's MAKE MOVE FOR SKUBAL? According to Buster Olney of ESPN, it's possible. CLICK HERE: 

LEODY FINDS NEW HOME: Former M's outfielder Leody Taveras has signed on with an AL foe. CLICK HERE: 

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