Dodgers Eye Tigers’ Tarik Skubal as $182M Pitching Puzzle Looms Large Ahead of Deadline and Rotation Shake-Up Possibility
As the 2025 MLB trade deadline draws near, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in familiar territory—positioned for another postseason run, yet facing critical questions about their pitching staff. With injuries, inconsistencies, and long-term financial implications clouding the picture, the Dodgers are reportedly showing significant interest in acquiring Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. The 27-year-old left-hander has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, and his blend of dominance, control, and contractual flexibility makes him one of the most coveted names in trade conversations. However, any potential deal for Skubal would not just shape the remainder of the Dodgers’ 2025 campaign—it could also profoundly impact the future of their $182 million investment in Walker Buehler, whose performance and health remain major uncertainties.
The Dodgers have built their reputation around aggressive decision-making, especially when it comes to top-end talent. Their front office, led by President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, has never been shy about making blockbuster moves to shore up weaknesses or deepen strengths. From Mookie Betts to Trea Turner to Max Scherzer, the Dodgers have routinely dipped into their prospect-rich system to land game-changing players. Tarik Skubal fits that mold perfectly, and perhaps even more attractively than some of their previous trade acquisitions—because unlike those past deals, Skubal would not be a rental. He is under team control through the 2026 season, giving any acquiring team two more full years of high-end pitching at arbitration prices.
This season, Skubal has been nothing short of sensational. Entering the final week of July, he sports a sub-2.50 ERA, a WHIP under 1.00, and a strikeout-to-walk ratio that rivals the best in the game. His advanced metrics paint an even brighter picture. He ranks near the top of the league in FIP, xERA, and hard-hit rate. His fastball velocity has increased slightly, and his command over his secondary pitches—particularly his changeup and slider—has made him borderline unhittable at times. Detroit’s rebuild has benefited from his emergence as a frontline starter, but it also makes him their most valuable trade asset by far. With the Tigers still a year or two away from contention and Skubal’s value arguably at its peak, Detroit may be tempted to move him now for a massive return.
For the Dodgers, acquiring Skubal would solve several problems at once. First, their rotation has been in flux all season due to a series of injuries. Clayton Kershaw, though re-signed on a short-term deal, has yet to pitch in 2025 due to recovery from shoulder surgery. Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a brief injured list stint earlier this year and has shown flashes of brilliance but also some growing pains adjusting to MLB lineups. Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller have had up-and-down performances, while Tyler Glasnow has generally been effective but is often battling his own durability concerns.
Then there’s Walker Buehler—the $182 million question. After returning from a second Tommy John surgery, Buehler has not looked like his former self. Once the unquestioned ace of the staff, his fastball velocity has dipped, and his command has been inconsistent. His ERA hovers in the mid-4.00s, and his strikeout rate has significantly declined. The Dodgers still believe in his upside, but with free agency approaching after the 2025 season, there’s growing uncertainty about whether Buehler will ever return to being the pitcher who once dominated October. If he doesn’t, the Dodgers face a difficult decision: Do they extend him based on past performance and leadership, or do they shift their long-term plans to prioritize arms like Yamamoto, Stone, and possibly Skubal?
Skubal’s acquisition could make that choice easier. By landing a legitimate frontline starter with multiple years of control, the Dodgers could enter next season with a trio of Skubal, Yamamoto, and Glasnow anchoring the rotation, supplemented by Miller and Stone. That’s a young, powerful, and relatively cost-controlled group, even with Glasnow’s sizable salary. Kershaw’s potential return would be a luxury rather than a necessity. More importantly, it would give the Dodgers a way to mitigate the risk of Buehler’s decline or departure. If Buehler regains his old form in the second half of 2025, the Dodgers will happily ride that wave into the postseason. But if he doesn’t, having Skubal in the fold cushions the blow.
From a strategic standpoint, the Dodgers’ interest in Skubal also speaks to their organizational philosophy of avoiding desperation. They don’t like being forced into overpaying in free agency, especially for pitching. The price tags on top-tier arms have exploded in recent years, as evidenced by the contracts given to Gerrit Cole, Jacob deGrom, and Yamamoto himself. Trading for Skubal now allows the Dodgers to control a prime pitcher without entering a bidding war later. It also gives them the leverage to make more deliberate decisions with Buehler’s future, rather than being boxed into a corner by need.
The cost, of course, will not be cheap. The Tigers are reportedly asking for at least two top-100 prospects and an additional young MLB-ready player. The Dodgers have the capital to meet that demand, with players like Dalton Rushing, River Ryan, and Nick Frasso all generating interest around the league. Outfielder Andy Pages and infielder Michael Busch could also be pieces of interest to Detroit, though Busch has been a regular contributor for the Dodgers this season. The Dodgers will have to decide how much of their future they are willing to mortgage for a win-now move—though it’s worth noting that with a farm system as deep as theirs, they can trade from a position of strength without completely emptying the cupboard.
There’s also the postseason to consider. The Dodgers have been repeatedly snakebitten by pitching woes in October. Over the past few seasons, they’ve gone into the playoffs with either makeshift rotations or heavy bullpen usage, which has led to early exits. Skubal, with his poise and efficiency, could change that narrative. He’s the kind of pitcher who can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Zack Wheeler, Spencer Strider, or even Corbin Burnes in a postseason matchup. Having that caliber of arm could be the difference between another NLDS heartbreak and a trip to the World Series.
For the Tigers, this is both a gamble and an opportunity. Trading Skubal risks alienating fans who’ve seen him as the face of their pitching renaissance. But if Detroit’s front office doesn’t believe they can compete in 2025—or if they see a return package that jumpstarts their rebuild—it could be the right long-term move. They’ve already committed to building around younger position players like Colt Keith, Parker Meadows, and Max Clark. Turning Skubal into a haul of high-ceiling talent accelerates that plan. Still, the decision won’t be easy. The Tigers have to weigh the rarity of having a true ace on a budget against the long-term flexibility of acquiring multiple assets.
Ultimately, the Dodgers’ pursuit of Skubal reveals a front office that refuses to rest on its laurels. Despite being perennial contenders, L.A. continues to look for ways to evolve, adapt, and stay ahead of the curve. They know that October is unforgiving and that the line between a parade and a collapse often comes down to who’s pitching in the biggest moments. Tarik Skubal has shown he can be that guy—and the Dodgers seem prepared to pay the price to find out if he can be that guy for them.
The coming days will be decisive. If the Tigers hold firm on their asking price, the Dodgers will need to evaluate whether Skubal is worth the cost. But if Friedman and his team believe that Skubal is the missing piece to this year’s puzzle—and perhaps the next two years as well—they may be willing to make a bold move that shapes not just their present but their future. And as for Buehler, the outcome of this saga could determine whether he remains part of that future or becomes a cautionary tale of what once was.
