Even during what has been considered a down season by his own lofty standards, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal remains one of the most dominant and respected pitchers in MLB.

The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner is expected to be one of the most closely watched names leading up to the August 3 trade deadline.

If the Tigers decide to make him available, acquiring him would almost certainly require an enormous package in return.

That possibility led Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic to identify the Dodgers as one of the most logical landing spots.

According to Rosenthal, the defending World Series champions possess the combination of elite prospects and championship urgency necessary to pursue a blockbuster trade.

The Dodgers have built one of MLB’s deepest farm systems while continuing to contend for championships.

Rosenthal also pointed to the possibility of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement bringing additional payroll restrictions in the future.

Because of that, he suggested Los Angeles could decide to make one more aggressive push before potential roster-building limitations make assembling star-studded teams more difficult.

Rosenthal wrote that if any organization is positioned to pursue Skubal, it is the Dodgers as they attempt to win a third consecutive World Series.

“Well, if ever there was a team to play on Skubal, it’s the back-to-back World Series champions, attempting a three-peat. The Dodgers are teeming with prospects,” Rosenthal wrote.

“The next labor agreement is almost certain to include greater payroll restrictions. Why not go for one last splurge?”

The biggest question remains whether the Tigers will actually make their ace available. Detroit continues playing in one of the weakest divisions in MLB.

The American League also has only five teams with winning records. That leaves the Tigers within striking distance despite an inconsistent season.

Detroit is 46-53. They trail the Boston Red Sox for the final Wild Card spot by 4.5 games and sit 6.5 games behind the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.

Because of that, Rosenthal believes it will become increasingly difficult for Detroit to justify trading Skubal if the club continues climbing the standings or remains firmly in postseason contention.

The situation becomes even more complicated because of Skubal’s long-term future.

The left-hander is expected to command a significant contract after the season. If the Tigers are unwilling to meet those financial expectations, keeping him through the deadline could ultimately prove to be poor asset management.

Detroit must now determine whether chasing a postseason berth outweighs the opportunity to maximize the value of one of MLB’s premier pitchers before his next contract.

Skubal is 6-5 with a 2.83 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 82.2 innings over 14 starts this season, with 98 strikeouts against 11 walks.

Skubal has established himself as one of MLB’s most complete pitchers through preparation, intelligence, and relentless competitiveness.

He attacks hitters with confidence and rarely allows difficult situations to change his approach on the mound.

His ability to make adjustments during games has become one of his greatest strengths. It allows him to consistently challenge opposing lineups regardless of circumstances.

He also brings a calm presence that helps stabilize an entire pitching staff. Teammates trust him to lead by example through his work ethic and professionalism.

Skubal embraces expectations rather than avoiding them, and his commitment to constant improvement has made him one of MLB’s most respected aces. 

Those qualities explain why contenders would eagerly pursue him if he ever became available. It is also why the Tigers face such a difficult decision as the trade deadline approaches.

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