Skubal joins Clemens and Martinez among a handful of reigning Cy Young winners to be traded

As the trade deadline approaches, the Detroit Tigers have completed their biggest deal so far by sending left-handed ace Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Skubal, who is a free agent after this season, was traded amidst the Tigers' struggles this year, as they currently sit under .500. Despite these factors, the Tigers must now evaluate the performance of the three prospects they received in the trade - Zyhir Hope, River Ryan and Brady Smith.

While trading a pitcher of Skubal's quality can yield positive results, there are numerous examples of teams receiving little in return. Here are eight other instances where reigning Cy Young winners were traded before the end of the following season: Frank Viola was traded from Minnesota to the New York Mets in 1989 for Rick Aguilera and Kevin Tapani, helping the Mets win the World Series the following year.

David Cone was traded twice in the year following his Cy Young season in Kansas City, eventually joining the New York Yankees in 1996. Pedro Martinez was traded from Montreal to Boston in 1997, with the Expos receiving Carl Pavano and Tony Armas in return. Roger Clemens was sent from Toronto to the New York Yankees in 1999, after the Blue Jays won the World Series the previous year.