The Los Angeles Dodgers should have their eyes on Tarik Skubal.
When healthy, Detroit Tigers lefty, Tarik Skubal is one of the most dominating pitchers in Major League Baseball.
Skubal, 29, won the American League Cy Young Award in both 2024, and 2025.
Skubal was an All Star both seasons.
Skubal is rehabilitating from the removal of “loose bodies” in his pitching elbow.
Skubal’s injury corresponds to the Tigers terrible first quarter in the American League Central Division.
At the start of play May 3, the Tigers and Kansas City Royals are competing for last place in the Division.
This time, the Detroit Tigers may not be able to catch the Cleveland Guardians, or Chicago White Sox.
While there are plenty of games remaining for the Detroit Tigers to improve, Skubal’s contract situation, his pending asking price, and his ability to be a difference maker on a contending team are motivating factors for the Tigers to trade Skubal.
The most logical destination for a Skubal trade would be the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Skubal is currently pitching on a one-year, $32M Tigers contract.
Skubal won his arbitration hearing with the Tigers this past February. As mlb.com reported, “Skubal filed a $32 million proposal, the Tigers filed at $19 million. By rule, the arbitration panel had to select one of the two proposals, not a salary in between “
Skubal can become a free agent at the end of the 2026 World Series.
Why The Los Angeles Dodgers Make Sense For A Skubal Trade:
Without question, the Dodgers have the financial means to pay Skubal his free agent asking price.
spotrac.com lists the Dodgers “cash payroll” to be $269,998,017. For comparison, the Cleveland Guardians are listed at $72,015,454.
spotrac’s “cash payroll” is designed to determine how much money the club is actually paying players this season. It does not include contract deferrals.
If Skubal were to be traded to the Dodgers, it is likely the team would make a very high-valued bid to sign him to a long-term contract.
Skubal is a client of the Boras Corporation, which usually fetches top dollar for their premier clients.
Skubal’s Sparkling Major League Career Fits The Los Angeles Dodgers:
Skubal really came into pitching prominence in 2023. He had a record of 7-3, with a tremendous 2.80 ERA, and 0.89 WHIP in 15 starts, covering 80.1 innings.
In 2024, his first All Star season, Skubal fashioned a record of 18-4, with a 2.39 ERA, and 0.92 WHIIP in 31 starts, covering 192 innings.
Last season, Skubal, again an All Star, won his second Cy Young Award, thanks to a 13-6 record, a 2.21 ERA, and 0.89 WHIP in 31 starts, covering 195.1 innings.
In seven starts before being placed on the Injured List this season, Skubal had a record of 3-2, with a 2.70 ERA, and 0.94 WHIP, in 43.1 innings.
Potential Trade Chips From The Los Angeles Dodgers for Skubal:
To be clear, Skubal may not be traded at all. However, it seems the Tigers will want to maximize Skubal’s trade value, as opposed to getting only draft compensation in return when Skubal enters free agency.
It is highly unlikely Detroit will meet Skubal’s asking price.
statsniper.com mentions the Dodgers, Yankees, Blue Jays, and Padres as logical suitors in a potential Skubal trade.
This old scout favors the Dodgers for several reasons:
1- The Dodgers starting rotations have a history of injuries. For example, currently, starters Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Gavin Stone, and Landon Knack are all injured.
2- Unless they send him to the Padres, it gets Skubal out of the American League,
3- it provides Detroit with high-end prospects and potential major-league ready young players with lengthy team control
4- It is unlikely the Padres will risk not being able to sign Skubal to a long-term extension after surrendering top prospects.
statsniper lists one of outfielders Josue De Paula, and Zyhir Hope as the centerpiece of a trade with the Dodgers.
Both are left-handed hitters, both are 21-years-old, and both are currently playing at Double-A Tulsa.
De Paula and Hope are ranked the number 1 and 2 prospects in the Dodgers organization by mlbpipeline.com
A third prospect, pitcher River Ryan, 27, may be appealing to Detroit. He is currently pitching at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Ryan can hit 100 miles per hour on his Grade 65 fast ball.
Ryan is ranked the number 6 prospect.
If he proves to be healthy. it seems likely the Detroit Tigers will trade All Star, Cy Young Award winning pitcher, Tarik Skubal.
All signs appear to be favorable for Skubal’s return to the mound soon.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have the financial means, the quality prospects, and the need for starting pitching depth to trade for Skubal, and give him a lengthy contract extension.
It is not unrealistic to think Tarik Skubal will be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers by the August 3 trade deadline.
