The Los Angeles Dodgers have never been shy about making aggressive moves, and if MLB insider Ken Rosenthal is correct, this year’s trade deadline could be their most eye-popping yet.
Rosenthal recently reported for The Athletic that the likelihood of the Detroit Tigers trading reigning back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is rising, writing that “a growing belief exists within the industry that Skubal is a goner.”
Rosenthal expects every contender will throw their hat in the ring if Skubal is made available, including the Dodgers.
“Every contender will at least check in — yes, even the spendaholic, back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who might view the deadline as something close to last call,” Rosenthal wrote.
That “last call” reference carries extra weight on top of the Dodgers’ lofty goals of being MLB’s first three-peat champions in over 25 years. With a new collective bargaining agreement looming and the possibility of future payroll restrictions across baseball, Los Angeles may see 2026 as one final opportunity to fully flex its financial muscle.
The Tigers, meanwhile, have stumbled to a disappointing 22-38 start and sit at the bottom of the American League Central entering Monday.
While Skubal is recovering from elbow surgery, reports indicate he could return as early as June. If he proves healthy, Detroit could be flooded with trade offers for the ace, who is set to reach free agency after the 2026 season.
For the Dodgers, the fit is obvious.
Despite leading baseball with a stellar 3.07 team ERA entering June, Los Angeles continues to battle injuries throughout its rotation. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow remain on the injured list, while the club has leaned heavily on Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and a rotating cast of contributors to maintain its dominance.
Adding Skubal would give the Dodgers arguably the most intimidating rotation in baseball and further cement their status as World Series favorites.
The cost would be significant, but Los Angeles possesses one of baseball’s top farm systems. If the Dodgers truly view this deadline as their final opportunity to go all-in, Skubal could be the blockbuster target that defines their championship chase.