The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ potential acquisition of Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has shifted from a fantasy to a credible offseason rumor almost overnight. The chatter comes on the heels of a whirlwind Winter Meetings, where big-money moves dominated headlines.
The Philadelphia Phillies re-signed Kyle Schwarber for five years at $150 million, and Pete Alonso joined the Baltimore Orioles on a five-year, $155 million deal. Meanwhile, the Dodgers signed top closer Edwin Diaz to a three-year, $69 million pact, maintaining their claim that no massive “splash” was needed this offseason.
Tigers Open to Listening
On Day 1 of the Winter Meetings, Tigers President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris addressed Skubal’s trade speculation. While he didn’t confirm any interest in moving the ace, he left the door open.
“It’s just really hard to answer the question,” Harris said. “One, we don’t speculate on any players on our roster in trade talks. … Two, I’ve been pretty clear since I’ve been here: I don’t believe in untouchables at any level, anyone in our organization. Some are going to be very likely moves and some will be extremely unlikely, but you can’t fully vet those opportunities unless you’re willing to listen.”
Harris’ comments effectively fueled speculation, signaling that while Skubal may stay, the Tigers are at least exploring market interest.
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Dodgers-Tigers Talks Intensify
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According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Detroit has been working to capitalize on Tarik Skubal’s stature as one of the premier arms in baseball. During the Winter Meetings, the Tigers held substantive discussions about a possible trade and showed real interest in what the Dodgers could offer, sparking a fresh wave of speculation about Skubal’s future.
“They surprised teams by engaging in serious talks, and were intrigued by the Dodgers’ potential package of prospects, triggering trade rumors,” Nightengale wrote.
Reports out of Orlando indicate that the Dodgers and Tigers engaged in serious discussions regarding Skubal. While the specifics of any package remain speculative, industry insiders suggest Detroit would want a haul comparable to the Juan Soto trade in 2022, which included top prospects and major league-ready talent.
A potential framework circulating includes the Dodgers sending Emmet Sheehan, Zyhir Hope, Patrick Copen, Alex Freeland, and James Tibbs III to Detroit.
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The Skubal Factor
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Skubal, who won his second consecutive AL Cy Young in 2025, posted a 2.21 ERA with 241 strikeouts across 31 starts, and his WHIP of 0.891 led the league. Yet with one year remaining on his contract, his long-term availability is uncertain. That makes any potential acquisition a high-risk, high-reward move.
MLB insiders, including Bob Nightengale, are skeptical a trade will actually happen. Nightengale predicts:
“Skubal will stay put. There’s simply no team that will strip their farm system for one year of Skubal knowing that he could be parting after one year for free agency, where he’s expected to receive at least $400 million.”
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Dodgers’ Motivations
For Los Angeles, adding Skubal would immediately bolster an already formidable rotation and provide insurance in an unpredictable pitching market. Depth in starting pitching has been a perennial concern for the Dodgers, and landing a front-line arm like Skubal—even for one season—would cement their status as clear World Series favorites.
Tigers’ Dilemma
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Detroit, meanwhile, faces a delicate balance. Trading Skubal would net top prospects and ready-to-contribute talent but would leave their rotation significantly weakened. Retaining him keeps the Tigers competitive in 2026, especially if the front office aims to contend despite the ongoing contract gap.
Bottom Line
While the Skubal trade rumors have electrified the offseason chatter, the consensus among analysts is that the Tigers will likely hold onto their ace for 2026. Still, the Dodgers’ engagement in talks underscores their intent to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of championship depth. Whether Skubal stays or goes, his situation will be one of the most-watched storylines of the offseason.