New Dodgers Trade Rumors on Tarik Skubal as 2026 MLB Deadline Approaches

Even though the Detroit Tigers' strong play since the start of June has made it less likely Tarik Skubal will be moved, the Los Angeles Dodgers are floating around as a potential landing spot prior to the Aug. 3 deadline if a deal were to happen involving the two-time AL Cy Young winner.

Per ESPN's Alden Gonzalez, the "growing sense" among rival executives is Skubal will remain with the Tigers after the deadline in an attempt to continue their playoff push.

However, Gonzalez added rival evaluators feel the Dodgers match up incredibly well with the Tigers in a trade for Skubal because Los Angeles can offer a prospect package that includes both outfielders and pitchers:

"Nobody, rival evaluators say, matches up better with the Tigers on a deal like this than the Dodgers. The Tigers' farm system is loaded with promising infielders but could use more outfielders beyond 21-year-old center fielder Max Clark. They could also stand to infuse it with more pitching. The Dodgers can offer both."

If the Tigers are going to trade Skubal, Gonzalez noted they would like a "ready-made" pitcher to plug into their rotation with Justin Wrobleski, Emmet Sheehan and River Ryan all cited as potential options fitting that description.

Skubal returned from elbow surgery to remove a loose body in his elbow on June 13. He has made seven starts since that time, posting a 2.97 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 39.1 innings.

After a loss to the Chicago White Sox on May 31 dropped their record to 22-38, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Detroit would trade Skubal during the season to get something before he hits free agency in the winter.

Since the start of June, though, the Tigers have the fourth-best record in MLB at 25-15. They have moved within 4.5 games of the final wild card spot and 6.5 games of first place in the AL Central.

With just under two weeks remaining before the trade deadline, that puts the Tigers in a difficult position. They are five teams ahead of them in the race for the final wild card spot, including the Boston Red Sox in position for the third wild card.

It could reasonably be argued the Tigers are the best team in the Central right now, despite being fourth in the standings. Their plus-33 run differential ranks second only to the Chicago White Sox in the division.

The Dodgers are in a unique position because they have spent most of this season feeling like a team on cruise control. They have fallen behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the best record in MLB, but they own the best run differential (plus-152), rank third in runs scored and fourth in ERA.

Los Angeles has done all of that despite a combined total of eight starts from Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow thus far. Snell is getting closer to returning after making a rehab start on Saturday. Glasnow is progressing in his return from a back injury.

If you consider that Snell and Glasnow coming back is the equivalent of a midseason acquisition, the Dodgers may not feel the need to give up long-term future assets to acquire Snell.

One potential wild card in the equation is Shohei Ohtani's health. He has not pitched since July 3 due to knee irritation and there is no timetable for him to get back on the mound.

If the Dodgers want to ease back on Ohtani's workload going into the playoffs, replacing him with arguably the best pitcher in MLB would be perfectly in keeping with their standard operating procedure.

Everything with Skubal depends on how the Tigers feel about where they are at in the standings and their chances of making a playoff push. If they are confident about maintaining this recent run, he will likely finish out the year in Detroit.