Dodgers Eyeing Joe Ryan as Skubal Stays Put - A Smart Pivot with Big Upside
Tarik Skubal is the kind of pitcher front offices dream about - a dominant lefty with elite strikeout stuff and pinpoint control. It’s no surprise he’s become the most coveted arm of the offseason.
And if the Dodgers had their way, they’d back up the prospect truck and then some to land him. But here’s the reality: Skubal’s not going anywhere - at least not yet.
The Tigers aren’t in a position to part with their ace, and for good reason. Detroit still sees itself as a team on the rise, and moving Skubal would be a massive step back.
Even if they could get a decent haul, replacing what he brings - both on the mound and in the clubhouse - is nearly impossible. And with Scott Boras guiding his client’s path, any team trading for Skubal would be rolling the dice on a long-term extension.
That’s a tough sell when free agency looms and the market is ready to pay top dollar.
So where does that leave the Dodgers? Still in the market for an arm, still looking to fortify a rotation that’s already stacked with talent. And that’s where Joe Ryan enters the picture.
Joe Ryan: The Under-the-Radar Ace with Elite Metrics
Ryan isn’t just a fallback plan - he’s a legitimate front-end starter in his own right. Since 2023, no starting pitcher has matched his rare combination of swing-and-miss stuff and elite control.
We’re talking about a guy who’s struck out over 10 batters per nine innings while walking fewer than two - the only pitcher to do that over the stretch. That’s not just impressive, it’s elite territory.
In 2025, Ryan posted a 28.2% strikeout rate (84th percentile) and a 5.7% walk rate (87th percentile). Those numbers don’t just jump off the page - they tell the story of a pitcher who attacks hitters, stays in the zone, and rarely gives up free passes.
His .213 expected batting average allowed? That’s 82nd percentile, and it paints the picture of a guy who’s not just missing bats, but also limiting hard contact.
Now, Skubal still sits in a league of his own - a 32.2% K-rate and 4.4% walk rate put him in the 94th and 97th percentiles, respectively. But Ryan isn’t far behind. He’s not quite Skubal, but he’s definitely in the same orbit.
Why Ryan Makes Sense for LA - Even Beyond the Numbers
Here’s where things get interesting. Ryan has two more years of team control and is projected to earn just $5.8 million in arbitration for 2026. That’s a bargain for a pitcher of his caliber, and it gives the Dodgers flexibility - not just financially, but strategically.
Do the Dodgers need Ryan in their rotation right now? Not necessarily.
But adding him does two big things: it strengthens their already deep pitching staff and keeps a high-upside arm out of the hands of a potential rival. That kind of move - one that’s as much about subtraction for others as it is addition for yourself - is classic Dodgers front office thinking.
If they pull it off, they’d be setting themselves up for something even bigger. Imagine a 2027 rotation featuring Ryan and Skubal, alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and whoever else rises through the ranks. That’s not just a good rotation - that’s a nightmare for opposing lineups.
Final Thought
Skubal may be the white whale of the offseason, but Joe Ryan is no consolation prize. He’s a high-strikeout, low-walk technician who fits the Dodgers’ mold perfectly - efficient, effective, and under control. If LA wants to keep its edge and build toward something even scarier down the line, making a move for Ryan now could be the smartest play on the board.