There are trade rumors everywhere when it comes to Detroit starter Tarik Skubal, and the New York Mets are involved in a lot of them, but some are more credible than others. Jim Bowden of The Athletic has credibility as a GM, and while he has been known to float his share of outrageous rumors, his Mets trade for Skubal is interesting enough to be worth a look. 

With that in mind, here’s his proposal:

Detroit Tigers get: RHP Jonah Tong, RHP Brandon Sproat, INF/OF Jett Williams, INF/DH Ronny Mauricio

New York Mets get: RHP Tarik Skubal

The breakdown for the Mets: This trade is basically pitching future for pitching present, and it commits the Mets to a rotation that's stacked half-stacked and top-heavy. They just tried that with their lineup last year, and things didn’t exactly go as planned. 

The Mets would make this trade based on the assumption that either Tong or Sproat is fundamentally flawed as a quality rotation piece, but we still this is still “facts not in evidence,” as the lawyers say. Sproat looked capable of making adjustments when he struggled down the stretch, but Tong basically fell apart a couple of times, which suggests that he probably needs a half-season or so at Triple A. 

As far as the position players go, both Mauricio and Williams are expendable. Mauricio doesn’t really fit the Mets plans going forward given that they’re likely going to start Brett Baty at third and Mauricio can’t play first or second, and Williams has mostly played short, where the Mets already have Francisco Lindor locked up long term. 

Skubal and Nolan McLean would make a formidable 1-2 punch, but what happens after that? The Mets badly need rotation depth, and they’re also doing a complete bullpen remake that may include passing on closer Edwin Diaz. 

The breakdown for the Tigers. Sproat and Tong would help the Tigers rotation long term, but neither one is an ace, so who fills that slot?

Detroit also needs offense, and Williams and Mauricio don’t provide much in that regard. Williams is mostly a speed guy, and Mauricio’s inability to stay healthy, hit consistently and find his position has bedeviled the Mets for years. 

Should they make the deal?

Mets: No. Young, controllable pitching is too big an asset, not to mention the cost of paying Skubal when that comes due. GM David Stearns should talk owner Steve Cohen out of this one based on the terms as laid out here. 

Tigers: No. Not enough offense. The pitching return would be solid, but it wouldn’t do anything for the Tigers lineup. They need a balanced trade, and this isn't it.