Dodgers Eye Tarik Skubal in Blockbuster Trade Proposal Featuring Roki Sasaki
If the Dodgers are serious about chasing a third straight World Series title, this is the kind of move that would send shockwaves through the league.
With Tarik Skubal’s name continuing to swirl in trade rumors - especially after the Tigers lost an arbitration case with their ace - the idea of him being moved before free agency has picked up steam. And when it comes to potential suitors, few teams can match the Los Angeles Dodgers in terms of both resources and motivation.
Now, a proposed deal making the rounds paints a dramatic picture: Skubal to LA in exchange for a package headlined by Roki Sasaki, along with Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris. It’s the kind of trade that would make front offices across baseball sit up straight.
Let’s break it down.
What the Tigers Would Be Getting
First off, Roki Sasaki isn’t just any prospect. He’s one of the crown jewels of the Dodgers’ system - a 24-year-old flamethrower from Japan who came into the league with sky-high expectations.
Though injuries limited his regular season to just 36 innings and a 4.46 ERA, Sasaki turned heads in the postseason. In nine appearances out of the bullpen, he posted a microscopic 0.84 ERA, flashing the elite stuff that made him the most coveted international free agent in 2025.
Sasaki has frontline starter potential written all over him. If he stays healthy and stretches back out into a starting role, he could anchor a rotation for years. That alone makes him a major chip.
But the Tigers wouldn’t stop there. Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris round out the proposed return - two more promising young talents who would bolster a Detroit farm system that’s been steadily climbing the ranks. It’s a haul that could reshape the Tigers’ future if they’re forced to pivot toward a retool.
Why the Dodgers Might Pull the Trigger
For the Dodgers, the motivation is clear: win now, win big, and keep winning.
They’ve already built a juggernaut, adding Kyle Tucker to a lineup that includes Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith. On the mound, they’re rolling with a rotation that features Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and more depth than most clubs can dream of.
But Tarik Skubal? He’s the kind of arm that could take this rotation from elite to almost unfair.
Skubal is coming off a dominant season and has emerged as one of the most electric left-handers in the game. Pairing him with the arms already in LA would give the Dodgers a postseason rotation that’s borderline untouchable.
Sure, they could wait until free agency and try to sign him without giving up any assets. But if the front office believes Skubal is the missing piece to a three-peat, they may be willing to pay the premium. This is a team that doesn’t just want to win - they want to build a dynasty.
What Has to Happen First
Of course, none of this happens unless the Tigers fall out of contention.
Detroit’s offseason moves suggest they’re aiming to compete, not rebuild. Pairing Skubal with Framber Valdez gives them one of the nastiest one-two punches in the AL. If they’re within striking distance of a playoff spot by midseason, it’s hard to imagine them selling off their ace.
But if things go sideways - if the offense sputters or the bullpen falters - Detroit might have no choice but to listen. Skubal is set to hit free agency after the season, and letting him walk for nothing would be a tough pill to swallow. A deal like this could soften the blow, giving them a young ace in return and a couple of lottery tickets that could pay off down the line.
The League-Wide Fallout
If the Dodgers do pull this off, expect the noise to be deafening.
There’s already grumbling around the league about LA’s spending power and their ability to stack stars. Adding Skubal to a roster that already looks like an All-Star team would only turn up the volume. The Dodgers have become the team everyone loves to hate - not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because they’re doing everything right.
And this move would be the ultimate flex.
Whether it’s now or in free agency, Skubal is going to be one of the most sought-after arms on the market. The only question is whether the Dodgers want to wait - or whether they want to go for the jugular and make a move that could seal a third straight title.
Stay tuned. This one could get loud.