The Detroit Tigers appear open to trading ace Tarik Skubal. The Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged as a leading suitor, sparking buzz around a potential blockbuster that could reshape MLB’s offseason.
After back-to-back American League Cy Young seasons for Tarik Skubal, the left-hander enters the final year of his contract, and reportedly, the Tigers are listening to offers.
The club’s president of baseball operations affirmed during winter meetings that there are “no untouchables,” fueling speculation that Detroit may trade its ace rather than risk losing him in free agency for draft compensation.
Dodgers need to go all in on Tarik Skubal. A lefty throwing 100 mph means no prospect is untouchable.pic.twitter.com/AGQXMLbA31
— Klein25 (@Klein25) July 12, 2024
Financially, the calculus makes sense. A long-term extension for Skubal could demand a contract north of what the Tigers may be willing to commit, especially with multiple teammates needing raises and a finite payroll flexibility.
From a competitive standpoint, the Tigers risk a looming chasm between what Skubal represents and what return they could fetch now: a young core of prospects, multiple picks, and roster flexibility to reload.
For an organization balancing short-term success with fiscal prudence, trading Skubal may offer a rare “win-now or build-later” reset button.
Why the Dodgers are being tipped and why this would be seismic
The Dodgers, fresh off a championship and reportedly making aggressive offseason moves, have emerged as the top rumored destination for Tarik Skubal.
Local reports claim negotiations between Los Angeles and Detroit are “in motion,” with momentum accelerating as the Winter Meetings unfold.
From L.A.’s perspective, acquiring Skubal would be a near-guaranteed rotation upgrade: a frontline starter with proven dominance, elite strikeout ability, and two recent Cy Young Awards.
Pairing him with their deep rotation and already strong bullpen, now boosted by their recent closer acquisition, would make the Dodgers arguably the most dangerous pitching and bullpen combo in the majors.
For fans, franchise bosses, and front offices alike, this would be a seismic move: a transfer of a modern-era ace from a rebuilding or retooling club to a win-now juggernaut.
And in the current spend-heavy climate, it wouldn’t shock many to see L.A. go all-in if the price, reportedly heavy but potentially affordable via prospects, institutional depth, and payroll flexibility, is right.
Why some insiders doubt it, and where the biggest hurdles lie
Not everyone believes the Dodgers-Skubal rumors will translate into an actual trade. Industry-insider writers at publications like The Athletic publicly assessed that while Skubal could be traded, a deal with the Dodgers is “unlikely.”
I asked Tarik Skubal’s agent Scott Boras if he’d be willing to sign an extension if he got traded:
“I don’t know how he would feel about any circumstances until the circumstances are provided. I can only say that the knowns are that he has a year to go with this team.” pic.twitter.com/IgLFQPkKeQ
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) December 10, 2025
Their logic: the cost in talent, prospects, and financial commitment would be steep, perhaps too steep even for a deep-pocketed franchise.
Some of the key obstacles:
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Value vs. cost: a two-time Cy Young ace demands a haul that could strain any team’s farm-system depth or financial structure.
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Paywall vs. flexibility: Skubal is in his last contract year; committing resources to a rental or hoping for an extension might make teams wary.
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Prospect tolerance: Teams like the Dodgers often need controllable, young pieces. If Detroit demands top-tier, close-to-MLB-ready talent, L.A. may balk.
Further, some analysts argue that trading a frontline starter before the season begins, especially one who has given them deep postseason appearances, could undermine Detroit’s competitive window, raising questions about the front office’s long-term plan.
What to watch next: markers that will tell us whether this deal gets done
| Watch Point | What It Means | Possible Dodgers Prospects in Play* |
|---|---|---|
| Formal engagement at Winter Meetings | If reports shift from loose “interest” to confirmed negotiations, it signals The Tigers are seriously considering moving Skubal, not just listening. |
Headliner-level names such as OF Josue De Paula or C/OF Dalton Rushing could become part of conversations if talks get real. |
| Inclusion of top Dodgers farm pieces | A true blockbuster probably requires at least one premium position player prospect plus pitching upside, not just lower-level lottery tickets. |
OF Josue De Paula, OF Zyhir Hope, SS Alex Freeland, LHP Jackson Ferris |
| Skubal’s willingness to sign an extension | If Skubal is open to a long-term deal with Los Angeles, Detroit can demand an even bigger return; if he insists on testing free agency, the package may skew more toward quantity than elite quality. |
High-ceiling bats like De Paula or Hope plus a secondary piece such as OF Eduardo Quintero or another top-20 prospect. |
| Dodgers’ payroll and roster moves after adding a closer | If the Dodgers keep spending on MLB pieces and avoid moving big leaguers off the roster, it increases the odds that any Skubal deal would be prospect-heavy. |
Prospect-centric package led by De Paula/Hope/Freeland/Ferris, rather than established major-league regulars. |
| Detroit’s competitive timeline and demands | Because the Tigers still expect to compete in the AL Central, they’re more likely to ask for near-MLB-ready talent than a pile of A-ball fliers. |
Upper-level pieces like C/OF Dalton Rushing, OF Josue De Paula, SS Alex Freeland and LHP Jackson Ferris fit the “close to MLB” profile. |
*Prospects listed are examples based on public Dodgers top-prospect rankings and
organizational depth, not reported offers. Actual trade packages could look
very different.
Conclusion: A Huge Trade Is Possible — But Far From a Sure Thing
Right now, the swirling rumors around a Skubal–Dodgers trade feel like the setup to one of MLB’s biggest offseason sagas. Everything is in place: motive (Detroit’s payroll/contract crunch), opportunity (Dodgers’ championship momentum), and precedent (big-market teams absorbing expensive stars).
What if the Dodgers actually get Skubal?
Their rotation would be:
1. Tarik Skubal
2. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
3. Shohei Ohtani
4. Blake Snell
5. Tyler Glasnow
6. Roki SasakiWTF 🤯 pic.twitter.com/m7tBi6KBMw
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) December 10, 2025
But momentum isn’t execution. The structural, financial, and prospect-value barriers are high, and several credible sources suggest the deal would be a long shot, especially given the cost.
Still, in a winter defined by bold moves, few potential trades carry as much upside, or risk, as this one. If Skubal lands in L.A., the ripples will be felt across baseball.
If it falls apart, it may become a long “what if?” for both franchises.
