New Dodgers Trade Rumors on Tarik Skubal Ahead of MLB Deadline Amid Shohei Ohtani Injury

MLB executives consider the Los Angeles Dodgers to be the favorites to get Detroit Tigers ace pitcher Tarik Skubal if he's made available prior to Monday's trade deadline, per ESPN's Alden Gonzalez.

However, Dodger officials "have mostly downplayed" any interest in the reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young award winner.

"Meanwhile, rival executives continue to view the Dodgers as the favorites to land reigning two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal if the Tigers make him available, pointing to their deep farm system, their desire to win a third straight championship, and the injury questions in their rotation as Monday's trade deadline approaches," Gonzalez wrote.

"Privately, though, Dodgers officials have mostly downplayed their interest in Skubal. And Roberts publicly voiced his support for the current starters Tuesday."

That news on Skubal dropped as questions linger about when Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, who is dealing with left knee discomfort and hasn't pitched since July 3, can return to the mound.

Gonzalez provided more insight on Ohtani's status.

"Ohtani, 32, was scratched from his first start after the All-Star break July 22 because of continued discomfort in his left knee. He threw a 30-pitch bullpen session in Philadelphia that day, but a bullpen session scheduled for three days later was postponed. Ohtani hasn't pitched in a game since July 3, and hasn't thrown a baseball in any capacity in six days."

The Tigers have a huge decision to make on Skubal, an impending free agent who should land a monster deal this offseason.

Despite a difficult season (51-57), they are just five games back of the Chicago White Sox for the AL Central lead.

The gap between the Tigers and the playoffs sits at three-and-a-half games, with the 55-54 Cleveland Guardians currently holding the final American League wild card spot.

So the playoffs are within sight. In order to give themselves a shot this season, the Tigers need Skubal, who is 7-5 with a 2.70 ERA (0.92 WHIP) and 110 strikeouts in 15 starts, atop the rotation.

However, long-term, the best decision is to probably trade Skubal to the highest bidder.

The Dodgers, who seemingly have bottomless pockets when it comes to paying players, could obviously be in the mix. It seems like every other big name over the past few seasons has landed in L.A., and Skubal could be the next one.

The Dodgers also have injury issues in the rotation, especially with Ohtani out without a specific return timeline in sight.

Left-hander Blake Snell (loose bodies in left elbow) has been out since May, but he is currently on a rehab assignment for Triple-A Oklahoma City, per MLB.com. Right-hander Tyler Glasnow, out with lower back spasms since May, is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Wednesday, with the goal being a rehab assignment sometime afterward if all goes well.

Adding Skubal, of course, gives the Dodgers some peace of mind as they hope to return to full strength in the rotation. At this point, the team has two strong and healthy starters leading the starting staff in Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Justin Wrobleski, both of whom have 11 wins apiece and sub-three ERA. The rest of the rotation has featured mixed results without Ohtani, Snell and Glasnow.

Still, bringing Skubal aboard would be a case of the rich getting richer as well, with L.A. already holding MLB's best record at 67-39 entering Tuesday. The Dodgers would also have competition for Skubal's services if he's made available at the deadline considering that he's one of the best pitchers in baseball, of course.

As of now, Skubal remains a Tiger, but the question is for how much longer. We do know, though, that he will pitch Wednesday (perhaps for the last time for Detroit) at home against the Baltimore Orioles.