The Los Angeles Dodgers don’t do quiet offseasons. Coming off back-to-back World Series titles, they’re not exactly resting on their laurels - and if the latest buzz around the league is any indication, they could be gearing up for another seismic move.
This time, the name being floated is Tarik Skubal - Detroit’s ace left-hander and one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. According to reports, the Dodgers are firmly in the mix if the Tigers decide to make their Cy Young-winning southpaw available. And while Detroit hasn’t shown any public signs of backing off their stance that Skubal is staying put, the situation is worth watching closely.
Let’s break this down.
Skubal just wrapped up a monster 2025 season in Detroit. He made 31 starts, posted a 13-6 record, and carved up hitters with a 2.21 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP - elite numbers by any standard. His 7.3 strikeout-to-walk ratio speaks to just how in control he was on the mound, and he logged nearly 200 innings, showing he’s not just dominant, but durable.
That kind of production doesn’t grow on trees. And for a Dodgers team that already boasts one of the deepest rosters in the game, adding a true ace like Skubal would tilt the scales even further in their favor. We’re talking about a potential three-peat here - and Skubal could be the kind of addition that makes that goal feel less like a dream and more like a blueprint.
Now, here’s the wrinkle: Skubal is under team control through 2026, but contract extension talks haven’t gone anywhere. That’s the kind of situation that can force a front office into tough decisions. If Detroit believes there’s a real chance they could lose him in free agency without a return, the idea of trading him - painful as it might be - becomes a lot more logical.
That’s where the Dodgers come in. They have the prospect capital to make a deal work, and they’ve never been shy about pushing chips to the center of the table when there’s a championship on the line. It’s not hard to imagine them putting together a compelling package if Detroit picks up the phone.
Of course, this is still in the realm of speculation for now. The Tigers have made it clear they intend to compete in 2026, and Skubal is very much the centerpiece of that plan. But if the stance changes - if Detroit decides to explore the trade market - the Dodgers are going to be one of the first teams in line.
So keep your eyes on this one. A potential Skubal-to-L.A. blockbuster wouldn’t just shake up the offseason - it could reshape the balance of power in the league yet again. And if the Dodgers do pull it off, we might be looking at a team that’s not just aiming for another title, but building a dynasty in real time.