The Dodgers have never been shy about making bold moves, and this latest trade proposal involving Roki Sasaki and Tarik Skubal is exactly the kind of blockbuster that could reshape the rotation - and the future - in one swoop.
Let’s break it down.
A Potential Ace-for-Ace Swap?
According to a recent trade proposal, the Dodgers could land two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal from the Tigers by sending over a package headlined by right-hander Roki Sasaki, along with outfield prospect Zyhir Hope and lefty Jackson Ferris.
That’s no small offer. Sasaki was the No. 1 prospect in baseball just last year, a marquee international signing who brings serious heat and upside.
But here’s the twist: on a Dodgers team stacked with starting pitching, Sasaki currently projects as their sixth starter. That’s a luxury few teams can afford - and it’s why his name keeps popping up in trade chatter.
Still, dealing him just a year after landing him would be a stunner.
Why Skubal?
Skubal has been a hot name all offseason, and for good reason. He’s under team control through 2026, and while extension talks with Detroit haven’t gone anywhere, his value on the mound is undeniable. He brings frontline stuff, postseason experience, and the kind of left-handed power arm that can balance out a rotation.
For the Dodgers, adding Skubal would be about more than just star power - it’s about shoring up a rotation that’s built to win now. But it comes at a cost.
What Sasaki Brings to the Table
Let’s not forget what Sasaki did down the stretch in 2025. After battling through early-season struggles and a shoulder injury, the 22-year-old came back in September and was lights-out in relief.
Across 11 appearances between the regular season and playoffs, he gave up just one run over 12.2 innings. That’s dominance.
And he’s under team control through 2030. That kind of long-term upside is exactly what rebuilding teams dream about - which is why Detroit would be all ears if Sasaki were on the table.
The Rest of the Package
Zyhir Hope is raw, but he’s got the tools to be a dynamic corner outfielder - think power-speed combo with room to grow. Jackson Ferris, meanwhile, still needs to refine his command, but he struck out 135 batters in 126 innings at Double-A last season. That’s real swing-and-miss stuff.
Together, this trio offers a mix of immediate help and long-term projection - the kind of return that could justify Detroit parting with their ace.
Is It Worth It for L.A.?
That’s the million-dollar question.
If the Dodgers are serious about Skubal, they’d likely need to lock him up long-term to make the deal make sense. Otherwise, they’d be trading six years of Sasaki - not to mention two more promising young players - for just two years of control.
And there’s also the fan factor. Sasaki has already become a favorite in L.A., and moving him this quickly could sting.
The Dodgers are in win-now mode, but they’ve also built a reputation for developing and retaining young talent. Giving up this much youth, especially as some of their core players age, could leave them thin in a few years.
Bottom Line
There’s no doubt the Dodgers have the pieces to make a deal like this happen. But whether they should is another matter entirely.
Skubal would give them a dominant rotation in the short term. Sasaki could be a star for the next decade.
That’s the kind of dilemma that front offices get paid to solve.
If nothing else, this proposal shows just how deep - and how ambitious - the Dodgers' roster-building strategy really is.