Without realizing it, sports fans are confusing the NFL with MLB right now. That the Rams traded for Myles Garrett during the current ML season, has fans from around the leagues considering which teams should throw their hats in the Tarik Skubal sweeptstakes.

I often mistakenly deem sports exercises as arguments because I’m usually talking about fans discussing and disagreeing about sports scenarios. In reality, the exercise can be solitary and lead to discussions with friends, enemies and strangers.

In the case of Garrett going to the Rams, most football fans have thoughts on whether the Rams overpaid for his services and if they can afford his contract down the road. Bears fans have been discussing the same thing but with the thought of what they would have had to give up to get him or if they have enough capital (talent) to entice the Browns to pull the trigger on the trade. I have yet to hear or read anyone’s thoughts as to who else could have benefited from Garrett’s services.

Locally, the two teams that are in the market for Skubal are the Cubs and Brewers. Chicago media has strong thoughts on the Brewers needing Skubal to push them over (finally). At the same time, they are debating whether the Cubs have the talent to get Skubal for 1/2 season service.

The exercise that I’m proposing, is what would you be willing to sacrifice for three months of Skubal and what could the Tigers be willing to accept. Provided that other teams are interested in his service, who would Milwaukee and Chicago be competing against? And while Skubal has been the best of the best recently, do we know that he would hold back the closer he gets to free agency. Unfortunately, we’ve seen professional athletes and collegians pull back for financial reasons as their current contract comes to an end.

All that being said, past history of both the Cubs and Brewers has shown they have gotten the best from pitchers on expiring contracts. In 2016, Joe Maddon and the Cubs got as much as they could from Aroldis Chapman knowing full well that he wasn’t coming back. Almost a decade earlier, CC Sabathia pitched the Brewers to the postseason. At no point did he let up, nor perform like it was a lark. Forget the numbers, the guy pinch hit in the postseason and at no point did anyone in the Cream City believe he was going to resign in 2009. The Brewers sacrificed a couple of expendable pawns when they got CC. Likewise, the Cubs handed the Yankees a couple young prospects for less than a half season of Chapman and a WS title.

In Chicago we’ll never really know if and what the Bears offered the Browns for Garrett so it’s an even interesting exercise than that of the Skubal scenario. Because of how badly the Tigers have failed this season, they’re less likely to hold on to him. That he’s not healthy yet presents another level of uncertainty, but it also adds nuance to the exercise. Personally, I don’t think the Cubs have what the Tigers might need and I’m afraid that they’ll pursue another mediocre Houston reliever.