The Los Angeles Dodgers are sitting on top of the baseball world-again. With back-to-back World Series titles in their pocket, they’ve reestablished themselves as the gold standard in Major League Baseball.
And now, as the offseason heats up, the conversation isn’t just about celebrating what’s already been done-it’s about what’s next. Specifically, it’s about whether the Dodgers are gearing up to make a serious run at a three-peat.
And if the latest rumors are any indication, they’re eyeing one of the most electric arms in the American League to help them get there.
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal has become one of the hottest names on the trade market this winter, and the Dodgers are reportedly in the mix. The buzz around a potential Skubal-to-L.A. deal picked up steam recently, and Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow didn’t hide how he feels about the possibility of adding the Tigers ace to the rotation.
“I think it’d be sick if we went out and got him,” Glasnow said during an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. “He’s probably one of the most unbelievable pitchers I’ve ever seen, and I’ve just heard such good things about him, too.
… He’d be a perfect fit; just to pitch along with him in the rotation would be kind of a dream. So I hope we get that done.”
That’s not just idle praise. Glasnow is a guy who knows what elite stuff looks like, and his excitement speaks volumes about how Skubal is viewed around the league.
The 27-year-old lefty has developed into a frontline starter with a blend of power, command, and poise that makes him a nightmare for hitters. He’s not just a nice addition-he’s a potential difference-maker on a team already loaded with talent.
But while the fit on the field might be seamless, the business side of things is where it gets complicated.
Skubal is represented by Scott Boras, and that alone changes the calculus. Boras is known for taking his clients to free agency and maximizing their market value, and Dodgers beat writer Blake Harris doesn’t see that trend changing anytime soon.
“Unless the Dodgers are offering $400M+, Boras ain't letting his client sign an extension,” Harris wrote on social media. “You're trading for him because he helps you THIS YEAR.
Having him for a year also HELPS your case to sign him in FA. Package is also not as steep without extension.”
That’s the catch. Trading for Skubal without any guarantee of an extension turns him into a high-stakes rental. Sure, he could help the Dodgers win a third straight title, but if he walks in free agency next winter, the cost of acquiring him-likely a package of top prospects-becomes a much tougher pill to swallow.
Still, there’s a reason the Dodgers are even entertaining the idea. Skubal isn’t just good-he’s potentially franchise-altering.
According to reports, he’s expected to reset the market for starting pitchers, with a projected price tag north of $400 million. That’s not just ace money-that’s historic money.
Former MLB executive Jim Bowden recently wrote that despite the Tigers being in a position to contend in 2026, they’re likely to explore trade options for Skubal at the Winter Meetings. The logic is simple: if they don’t think they can sign him long-term, now is the time to maximize his value.
That puts the Dodgers in an interesting spot. They have the prospect capital to get a deal done.
They have the financial muscle to make a serious run at Skubal in free agency. And they have a championship window that’s wide open right now.
But whether they pull the trigger will likely come down to one thing: leverage. If Boras signals any willingness to talk extension-or even offers a soft commitment-the Dodgers might be more aggressive. If not, they’ll have to weigh the risk of a one-year rental against the potential reward of another title.
There’s still plenty of time left in the offseason, and the Dodgers aren’t the type of team to sit still. Whether it’s Skubal or another frontline arm, they’re clearly in the market to keep their rotation elite. And if history tells us anything, it’s that when the Dodgers want something, they usually find a way to get it.