Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer listed Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki as a trade chip to land two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
The Dodgers have been heavily linked to Skubal all offseason, as the ace is only under team control through the 2026 season and he has had issue with the Detroit Tigers in reaching an agreement for an extension and in arbitration.
Rymer proposes the Dodgers should send Sasaki along with No. 2 prospect Zyhir Hope and No. 6 prospect Jackson Ferris to the Tigers.
“The Dodgers are so good that Sasaki, who was the No. 1 prospect in MLB last year, projects as their No. 6 starter,” Rymer wrote. “Using him as a trade chip is arguably their best play just in the abstract.
“Hope is still raw, but he profiles as a corner outfielder with power and speed on offense. Ferris is likewise raw in the control department, but he showed how good his stuff is by fanning 135 batters in 126.0 innings at Double-A in 2025.
“…Frankly, one doubts that the Dodgers would part ways with Sasaki just one year after scoring him as a major offseason prize.
“Conceptually, though, it’s his inclusion that makes this proposal work. He’d bring both short- and long-term upside to Detroit’s rotation, which is the only way that trading Skubal is going to make any sense.”
Oct 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning during game six of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn ImagesIs Sasaki Valuable Enough to Bring in Tarik Skubal?
Despite his early-season struggles in 2025, Sasaki turned into a monster after returning from his shoulder injury in September.
He made 11 appearances in relief during the regular season and postseason after coming back from the IL, and allowed just one run throughout his 12.2 innings pitched.
The right-hander is under team control through 2030, which — as Rymer said — would give the Tigers an instant impact arm in their rotation and would give them one of the best young pitchers in the game.
Alongside Sasaki, the Dodgers would be giving up a top 30 prospect in MLB as well as a pitcher who is a fringe pick for the MLB Top 100. With those two along with Sasaki, it should be more than enough to bring in Skubal.
Whether or not the Dodgers should do it, though, is a different story. They’d need to extend Skubal to make the trade worth their while, and they’d be losing a fan favorite in Sasaki to do so. With the amount of youth they’re giving up, it may be in their best interest to hold off, especially as an aging team.
Should the Dodgers use this package for Skubal?
LA Baseball Report
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