MLB insider Tom Verducci explained why the Los Angeles Dodgers are unlikely to make a trade with the Detroit Tigers for two-time Cy Young-winning starting pitcher Tarik Skubal.
The Dodgers have taken interest in Skubal over the course of the offseason, with talks beginning during the Winter Meetings.
Verducci named the Tigers as one of the favorites to represent the American League in the upcoming World Series, and doesn’t believe they would sell on potentially the best starter in MLB while they were at the top of the pack in the coming season.
“I never really bought into that possibility,” Verducci said to Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. “…I think Tarik Skubal likely is not going to re-sign to the Tigers. If he does, it’s going to be beyond anywhere the Tigers have gone, even with Miguel Cabrera. They’re a team that can win the American League pennant, and that’s with Tarik Skubal.
“…It’s hard for me to envision any kind of world where in the American League Central, the Tigers are out of playoff contention at the trade deadline. So I just don’t see it happening.”
The American League Central has been among MLB’s weaker divisions over the past couple of seasons, sitting at the bottom of the league with a collective .478 winning percentage in 2025.
What Would the Dodgers Have to do to Land Tarik Skubal?
While he said it’s unlikely, Verducci said the Dodgers could theoretically trade for Skubal in the right set of circumstances — but that they would need to overpay for his services.
“It’s not a 0% chance,” Verducci said of the Tigers falling out of contention, the Dodgers losing some rotation pieces and LA shipping prospects to Detroit. “All those things that you mentioned, I think beginning with the Tigers falling out of it, and the Dodgers just paying a little more than market value to be honest with you.
“It would have to be a trade that hurts the Dodgers in terms of prospect capital because, lets face it, other teams would be in it as well just to rent Tarik for a stretch drive and a postseason. But again, that’s a lot of things that would have to come into play.”
Skubal has just one season remaining under team control, and is set to enter free agency after the 2026 season. The Dodgers have one of the strongest farm systems in the majors, but would still have to unload several top prospects to get the ace.
They have shown in the past they’re willing to pay players who perform, though, and could extend him after his arrival.
Does Tarik Skubal Warrant Such a Big Trade Package?
While Skubal would cost the Dodgers several prospects as well as some young MLB talent, he would be more than worth the investment if the Dodgers were to extend him.
He’s won both of the last two AL Cy Young awards, and has led the AL in ERA in each of the last two seasons. He pitched 195.1 innings in 2025 and recorded 241 strikeouts, and logged a career-best 2.21 ERA in his age-28 season.
Skubal would further increase the Dodgers’ chances of winning the World Series in 2026 if they were to land him, but based on the set of circumstances required to bring in the lefty, they’ll most likely just have to wait until he hits the open market.
What would your Tarik Skubal trade package look like?
