The Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked to nearly every premium arm on the market over the past decade, but few potential fits have generated as much intrigue as the possibility of prying Tarik Skubal from Detroit. With extension talks between Skubal and the Tigers reportedly going nowhere, ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel both highlighted the Dodgers as one of the most logical suitors for the back-to-back American League Cy Young winner — even as Detroit insists it intends to contend and keep its ace.
Passan and McDaniel’s reporting underscores the central tension of Skubal’s situation: he’s arguably the best pitcher in baseball, and because of that, he’s also the hardest type of star to trade. Skubal has led the AL in bWAR in each of the past two seasons, put up a 2.21 ERA in 2025, posted the best ERA+ and FIP in the league, and finished with a dominant 0.891 WHIP.
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ESPN Names Dodgers Best Fit for Tarik Skubal Trade
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His changeup — now his most-used pitch — has evolved into one of the most devastating weapons in MLB, and his ability to hold both velocity and command deep into a season makes him the rare pitcher who both flashes ace-level stuff and logs 190+ innings.
That’s exactly why the Dodgers are such a natural fit.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden recently floated a hypothetical package built around Emmet Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski, Jackson Ferris, and outfielder Zyhir Hope. For the Dodgers, it’s the type of proposal that feels steep but still aligns with how they’re structured: strong development, a deep farm, and a front office willing to trade talent to secure an ace in his prime.
Sheehan and Wrobleski both contributed in the majors in 2025 and offer Detroit immediate innings. Ferris brings mid-rotation upside, and Hope — one of the Dodgers’ most athletic prospects — injects long-term outfield potential. It’s the kind of quantity-plus-quality package teams typically demand for a star with one year of control and possible $400 million extension upside.
Still, as McDaniel noted when assigning just a 10% chance that Skubal is traded, the hurdle isn’t the market — it’s Detroit’s reluctance to move the centerpiece of its pitching identity. But with the Dodgers chasing history and operating in a league-wide arms race, the fit remains obvious. If the Tigers ever open the door, Los Angeles will be standing at the front of the line.
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