The general expectation is that the Detroit Tigers will trade superstar pitcher Tarik Skubal before the MLB trade deadline, but there hasn’t been much movement thus far.

Jon Heyman of The New York Post has reported that the Tigers’ asking price for Skubal is “enormous,” and while Heyman noted that there is still plenty of time left, Detroit doesn’t appear to be budging.

What’s more interesting, though, is the teams Heyman mentioned as potential suitors for Skubal: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers.

Notice one club missing from that list? That’s right: the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays had emerged as a surprising potential landing spot for Skubal, as they are sitting in first place in the AL East and seem to have a chance to make a deep playoff run in a very weak American League.

But perhaps the asking price is too high for Tampa Bay’s taste.

Remember: Skubal is slated to hit free agency after the season, and he is a Scott Boras client. The chances of the Rays re-signing him are essentially zero, so they understandably do not want to part with a gargantuan package to land the two-time Cy Young award winner.

Of course, that can all change within the next couple of days.

Perhaps the Tigers will lower their demands the closer we get to Monday’s trade deadline, which could re-open the door for Tampa Bay to re-enter the sweepstakes.

Until that happens, however, it doesn’t seem like the Rays are all that realistic of a destination for Skubal, who has pitched to the tune of a 2.79 ERA over 16 starts this season.

The New York Yankees were also conspicuously absent from Heyman’s list, but given the amount of starting pitching they already possess, they have never been viewed as a likely suitor for the left-hander.

We’ll see if Tampa Bay jumps back into the fray before Aug. 3.