LOS ANGELES, CA — Fresh off winning their second consecutive World Series title, the Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly not done making landscape-altering moves. The most massive trade rumor currently swirling around the organization involves the pursuit of Detroit Tigers superstar ace, Tarik Skubal.
Acquiring the two-time American League Cy Young winner would not just improve the Dodgers; it would instantly solidify one of the most historically dominant starting rotations ever assembled in Major League Baseball.
The Trade Target: Tarik Skubal
- The Player: Tarik Skubal, LHP, has emerged as one of baseball’s most valuable assets. In 2025, he compiled a phenomenal 1$2.21$ ERA over 2$195.1$ innings, showcasing elite command with a 3$7.3$ K/BB ratio.4
- The Contract Situation: Skubal is under contract through the 2026 season before hitting free agency.5 With extension discussions reportedly going nowhere—and an estimated $250 million gap between the Tigers and Skubal’s agent—the Tigers may opt to trade him now to maximize the return before losing him for nothing.
- The Dodgers’ Urgency: Despite a strong current rotation, the Dodgers always seek elite, controllable pitching to maximize their championship window with superstars like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani.
The Potential New Rotation: “Unfair” to the NL
If the Dodgers manage to pull off this blockbuster trade—which would undoubtedly require giving up a massive haul of top prospects like catcher Dalton Rushing, Emmet Sheehan, and Andy Pages—the projected rotation would be unprecedented:
| Pitcher | Hand | Notable Achievement |
| Tarik Skubal | LHP | Back-to-Back AL Cy Young Winner |
| Yoshinobu Yamamoto | RHP | Signed to Record NPB Deal |
| Shohei Ohtani | RHP/LHP | Former MVP and Dual Threat |
| Blake Snell | LHP | 2x Cy Young Award Winner |
| Tyler Glasnow | RHP | Elite High-Strikeout Ace |
Adding Skubal to a staff that already features Snell, Yamamoto, and Ohtani (returning as a pitcher in 2026) would make the Dodgers almost a “lock for a third straight championship,” according to analysts, effectively “breaking baseball” once again.
Other Massive Trade Rumors
While Skubal is the most prominent name, the Dodgers are also involved in other high-impact trade discussions:
- Paul Skenes (RHP, Pirates): A far longer shot, but rumors suggest the Dodgers could trade a generational package of prospects to acquire the young, cost-controlled Pirates ace, further deepening their rotation dominance.
- Edwin Díaz (RHP, Mets): The Dodgers are linked to a potential sign-and-trade for the Mets closer, a move designed to solve their biggest immediate weakness: the bullpen.6
The pursuit of Skubal, however, is the one move that has the power to redefine the entire league structure, making the National League West a near-impassable barrier.
