Why a Tarik Skubal-to-Dodgers Trade Isn’t Adding Up Right Now
As we inch closer to Opening Day, the Tarik Skubal trade buzz just won’t die down. And whenever that conversation gets going, the Los Angeles Dodgers inevitably find themselves in the thick of it. Not because they desperately need Skubal-they’ve already got one of the most stacked rotations in baseball-but because they have what most teams don’t: the financial firepower and a deep, talented farm system to make a blockbuster deal happen.
Skubal, a two-time Cy Young winner, is the kind of ace who shifts the balance of power in October. So it’s no surprise that his name keeps popping up in trade speculation. But the Tigers’ situation-and the Dodgers’-makes this particular rumor feel more like a thought experiment than a real possibility.
The Mock Trade That Turned Heads
One of the latest proposals making the rounds involves the Dodgers sending a package headlined by Roki Sasaki, outfield prospect Zyhir Hope, and top pitching prospect Jackson Ferris to Detroit in exchange for Skubal.
On paper, it sounds like a splashy deal. Sasaki is a high-profile name, Hope brings upside, and Ferris is one of the more promising arms in the Dodgers’ system. But when you dig into the details, the package starts to feel a little light-especially for a pitcher of Skubal’s caliber.
Let’s break it down.
- Zyhir Hope isn’t even considered the Dodgers’ top outfield prospect at the Double-A level. That title belongs to Josue De Paula, who’s shown a more complete offensive profile and higher ceiling.
- Jackson Ferris had a solid but unspectacular season in Tulsa, putting up a 3.86 ERA.
The bigger concern? His command.
An 11.8% walk rate is a red flag at this stage of development.
- Roki Sasaki is the most intriguing piece here. But while he came in with big expectations, his performance in the rotation hasn’t exactly lived up to the early hype. His stock isn’t where it was when he first landed stateside.
So when you stack this trio up against what Detroit would likely demand for one of the best arms in the game, it doesn’t quite measure up. Especially when you consider that the Yankees reportedly walked away from Skubal talks after being told it would cost them “half their team.”
Detroit’s Message: We’re Not Selling (Yet)
There’s also the matter of timing. The Tigers aren’t operating like a team looking to offload their ace.
In fact, they just made a statement move by signing Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million deal. That’s not just about adding another frontline arm-it’s about showing Skubal they’re serious about contending and preparing for life after him if an extension doesn’t materialize.
That Valdez signing came right before Skubal’s arbitration hearing, which he won-another sign that Detroit isn’t shying away from paying to keep their core intact. If money was a major obstacle, that deal doesn’t get done. Instead, the Tigers are signaling they’re ready to compete now, with or without a long-term commitment from Skubal.
What Would It Take to Move Skubal?
Unless Detroit’s season goes sideways early, they’re not going to entertain trade offers for Skubal unless the return is overwhelming. Think: elite prospects and big-league-ready talent. And even then, the Tigers would have to be convinced it’s worth breaking up what could be one of the most dangerous 1-2 punches in the American League.
As for the Dodgers, they’re not exactly desperate. Their rotation already features names like Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Walker Buehler.
Adding Skubal would be a luxury, not a necessity. And while they could afford to make a deal like this, the question is whether they would-especially if the Tigers are holding out for a king’s ransom.
Bottom Line
The idea of Skubal in Dodger blue is fun to imagine. But right now, it doesn’t line up with where either team stands.
Detroit is trying to win, not rebuild. LA doesn’t need another ace-they just happen to be one of the few teams that could afford one.
Unless the Tigers’ season implodes or the Dodgers decide to push all their chips in for another October arm, this feels more like offseason noise than a real possibility. For now, Skubal’s staying put-and the price to change that isn’t coming down anytime soon.