Part 2/13:
When I first discussed Scoobel, I believed the Tigers would be hesitant to trade their star pitcher, especially after back-to-back playoff appearances and ending a decade-long drought. Scoobel’s performances, including a dominant showing in an elimination game last season, cemented his status as a franchise pillar. Because the Tigers are fundamentally a different team with Scoobel on the mound—posting a 42-20 record in his appearances—their fortunes seemed tightly bound to him. From my vantage point back then, I reasoned that Detroit would hang onto him, prioritizing a run at the AL Central title and a potential playoff push in 2026.