The Los Angeles Dodgers are battling with serious pitching injuries. The Dodgers have been forthright about their desire to add a “impact-type arm” at the deadline, according to general manager Brandon Gomes. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer proposes a four-player trade that would transfer Tark Skubal from the Detroit Tigers to Los Angeles.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand identified the Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles as teams interested in acquiring Skubal, who is “one of the frontrunners in the American League Cy Young race.”
Rymer recommended the following player swap, which makes Skubal a Dodger:
- Dodgers receive: left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal
- Tigers receive: right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller, outfielder Josue De Paula and catcher/first baseman Dalton Rushing
“Including Miller in a swap for Skubal may appear to be robbing Peter to pay Paul, but it would be consistent with the deal’s theme: present ability for potential upside. Miller is two years younger than Skubal and under club ownership until 2028,” Rymer noted.
The Dodgers are “eyeing big names to fill their biggest needs,” according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Skubal would meet those criteria.
Dodgers Proposed Trade Package for Skubal
Miller was optioned to Triple-A on July 10 following a poor run of starts. He gave up 26 earned runs, 17 walks, and 33 hits in his previous six major league outings. He pitched only 23 innings and struck out 16. Miller did, however, perform well as a rookie in 2023, posting a 3.76 ERA in 22 starts. In any trade for Skubal, the Tigers are likely to seek a young major league player as well as prospects.
Rushing and De Paula would join Miller in Detroit. Rushing, the club’s top prospect, does not have a clear path to the major leagues. In March, the Dodgers extended Will Smith’s contract for ten years and $140 million. Rushing’s road to the major leagues is hampered by Smith’s long-term contract and Freddie Freeman’s presence at first base.
De Paula is the organization’s #2 prospect. The 19-year-old is still in High-A and a long way from the major leagues. With the offseason signings of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers are finally poised to win. De Paula might be a significant trade asset if the Dodgers make a big move.
Skubal Would Give the Dodgers Rotation a Boost
“Skubal would be a game-changer for so many teams,” a National League official told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. “I’m not sure why the Tigers would trade him, but if they do, they’re going to get a haul in return.”
Skubal is enjoying an incredible season. He boasts the American League’s best 2.34 ERA, is tied for second in strikeouts (146), and was chosen an All-Star for the first time this season.
“His claim to the title of best pitcher in baseball is strong. Between the 20 starts he made in 2024 and the 15 starts he made in 2023, he’s on a 35-game run with a league-best 2.52 ERA and 6.9 times as many strikeouts as walks across 203.1 innings,” Rymer said. “What’s under the hood looks equally good. Skubal’s fastball, which can reach 100 mph, and changeup, which has a 47.0 whiff rate, are very appealing.
The Dodgers’ disabled list includes several vital arms, but other players are expected to return shortly. The injury list includes Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, and Dustin May. Not to add that Ohtani will not pitch this season.
With Kershaw and Glasnow expected to return soon, adding Skubal to the mix may immediately improve the Dodgers rotation. This season, the Dodgers have the ninth-highest club ERA. However, the Dodgers’ 5.41 ERA in July is the worst in MLB. Skubal agreed to a one-year, $2.6 million contract to avoid arbitration in the summer. He is arbitration eligible for the following two seasons, so he is more than just a rental arm.
