Bleacher Report floats insane 1-for-1 Rangers trade that would shock baseball

One-for-one trades in baseball hardly ever see positive outcomes for at least one of the teams and this proposed Bleacher Report deal involving the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers would not favor Texas.

In a list of proposals centered around the league's top rumored trade candidates, sits two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, while inside the top 10 MLB prospects list is the Rangers' 19-year-old shortstop Sebastian Walcott.

In what world would they ever be traded for each other? Apparently in the world BR's Kelly Miller has created.

Walcott for Skubal straight up would never happen

In Miller's world, this trade would predicate on handful of things before ever realistically coming to fruition.

First, the Tigers would need to win their arbitration case against Skubal this February. If they did, his salary would be $19 million for 2026 rather than the $32 million he is proposing. Skubal's mark is deemed way too rich for owner Ray Davis' blood.

Even if that was to happen, there's still two other trade proposals for Skubal outlined, with the Walcott deal labeled as the third trade package. The two others include both New York teams:

• Trade Package A: New York Yankees send RHP Cam Schlittler, OF Jasson Domínguez and RHP Carlos Lagrange for Tarik Skubal (59.6 median surplus)

• Trade Package B: New York Mets send OF Carson Benge (69.8 median surplus) and RHP Jonah Tong for Tarik Skubal and OF Parker Meadows (65.0 median surplus)

• Trade Package C: Texas Rangers send SS Sebastian Walcott straight up for Tarik Skubal (61.7 median surplus)

If you're the Tigers, the previous two are more appealing with more players going to the Motor City in return for Skubal but also in a contract year where it seems Detroit is hesitant to lock Skubal up long-term, Walcott shows a lot of promise.

Rangers would need to extend Skubal to not lose this trade

It's a loser deal for the Rangers almost immediately the deal breaks the airwaves. Only way to keep it from this is by being the organization that locks down the 29-year-old long-term which will be pricey due to on-field performances and his agent Scott Boras.

Skubal is the best pitcher in baseball right now and at not even in his 30s yet, he's already compiled 889 career strikeouts on a 3.08 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. This is alongside his two Cy Young awards, a pitcher's Triple Crown, two All-Star appearances and two top 10 MVP finishes.

Then comes whatever the Los Angeles Dodgers are managing to do. The signing of outfielder Kyle Tucker this month gave baseball fans less to celebrate as the makeup of the Dodgers' roster is hard to compete with and they are easily favorites for a third straight title this season.

If Texas was somehow able to trade Walcott for Skubal and lock him up long-term. Holy moly, the Rangers have the best rotation in baseball by far.