Dodgers Add Cy Young Winner Tarik Skubal in Trade with Tigers
The Los Angeles Dodgers, already champions for two consecutive years, have strengthened their roster by acquiring two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. Although the deal hasn’t been officially confirmed, reports indicate that the Dodgers are sending three prospects to the Tigers: Triple-A pitcher River Ryan, Double-A outfielder Zyhir Hope, and Class A pitcher Brady Smith.
Initially, it was thought that Emmet Sheehan might be included in the trade. However, Sheehan remains with the team and is expected to start Sunday’s game. The final package of Ryan, Hope, and Smith represents a solid return for the Tigers, with Ryan nearing major league readiness despite recurrent hamstring injuries.
Importantly for the Dodgers, this trade bolsters their rotation without affecting their major league roster or sacrificing their top prospects. Double-A outfielder Josue De Paula and right-hander Christian Zazueta were retained. Additions like Skubal give the Dodgers options in case pitchers like Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, or Shohei Ohtani become unavailable for the postseason.
“Wild. Absolutely wild. I can’t believe that,”
Dodgers veteran Alex Vesia reacted upon hearing the news from his mother in the postgame locker room. Meanwhile, pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto expressed surprise over the acquisition.
Skubal, aged 29, brings a stellar record with him. He clinched the American League Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025. This season, he’s maintained impressive statistics, boasting a 7-5 record with a 2.79 ERA over 16 starts, even after undergoing elbow surgery in April. Using a new procedure referred to as ‘NanoNeedle’, he returned quickly to make significant contributions with a 4-3 record and 2.87 ERA in his subsequent starts.
The Dodgers will handle the remaining $9 million of Skubal’s salary for the season. Skubal’s impending free agency and the possibility of a league lockout add dimensions to the contractual situation, with his agent, Scott Boras, likely targeting a historic payday.