TRADE DEADLINE NEWS/RUMORS

It's best if Glass and even Snell don't come back until late season. Otherwise odds are they're back on the shelf before the playoffs.

 

my sentiments exactly
while skubal alone doesn’t guarantee a pennant/WS, he certainly makes whoever gets him the favorite

 

I agree with this too. Problem is, they'll want three top-10's and Wrobo from the Dodgers and will end up taking one prospect and a middling late career starter from one of those other teams.

 

from passan…


Tarik Skubal, LHP, Detroit Tigers
Chance of being traded: 85%
Rest-of-season impact: Game-changing
Years of control: Just the remainder of 2026

The buzz: Skubal returned from midseason bone chip surgery in record time and hit 99.9 mph with his fastball, so any concerns about his stuff returning have been answered. His future depends on whether the Tigers can muster a run at an American League playoff spot.

Considering the hole they've dug themselves, they are far more likely than not to move Skubal -- beyond their six-game deficit for the final wild card, they are behind six other teams -- and they will squeeze every ounce of value out of the best pitcher in the world. He is the dream deadline candidate, the sort of ace who can carry a team in the postseason. Whoever lands Skubal will pay an enormous price. Happily.

The scouting report: He's still the same guy who won back-to-back Cy Young Awards. He relies on a 95 mph to 98 mph four-seam fastball and one of the best changeups in the league, along with a sinker, a slider and a slurve that are all above average to plus. Skubal's command is also plus, so you can see why he has the hardware and could also be in line for a precedent-setting contract depending on how this season ends.

Best fits: Every single contending team -- but more realistically the Dodgers, Yankees, Braves, Brewers, Blue Jays and Rays.

 

Let's just say hypothetically we trade for him. Most likely we include a starting pitcher, but if we don't, this is what we're left with:

1. Skubal (must start)
2. Yamamoto (must start)
3. Ohtani (must start)
4. Snell (had same nanoscope procedure as Skubal so could be back relatively soon, and if so, must start)
5. Sasaki (a bit of a wildcard still but might be "must start" by season's end)
6. Wrobo (how do you not start him given what he's done this year?)
7. Sheehan (could start)
8. Ryan (it's a matter of when, not if, he'll get called up)
9. Glassman (injured, but should/could be healthy by then)
10. Lauer (break glass in case of emergency, but he's shown starter value)

Stone (updates are not good for this year)

So the point that I'm working towards is that the Dodgers could have a potential 10-arm postseason logjam if they make this trade. I know one can never predict when injuries will happen so some of these "extra" pitchers could be necessary. But you can only realistically start four in the playoffs. My assumption is that would be Skubal, Yama, Sho, and Snell. Sheehan and Wrobo would have to go back to long relief, Roki back-end of the bullpen, Ryan stays down, Glassman and Lauer left off the roster.

Now, there's a good chance that one of Wrobo, Sheehan, and Ryan would be part of the package, but even if one is, you still have a logjam. Would Dodgers try to trade a pitcher after they secure Skubal (provided he's not a deadline deal)? Could they unload Snell by eating a chunk of remaining contract? Could they possibly get any value for an injured Glass?

Some might say it's a good problem to have, but I still believe the incremental improvement to the Dodgers playoff rotation would be minor and would create issues, and really the biggest benefit of trading for him would be to keep him off a rival's roster. Is that enough to give up multiple prospects and a quality arm?

 

https://x.com/i/status/2067988922546958614

I don't agree that Sheehan, Tibbs, and a lower prospect get it done, but I'd be okay with that. Hope instead of Tibbs would suck... less desirable but maybe acceptable. Nothing more though.

 

Expanding on that last post...

Dodgers have a lot of shortstops in the minors and Betts isn't going anywhere. Give up Vargas, Hainline, or Miller as the third piece.

Tibbs will likely be a major leaguer soon, but he's streaky and K's a lot, and not a plus defender. I don't see him fitting in the Dodgers plans.

I like Sheehan and would hate to see him go, but between him, Wrobo, and Ryan, he's the first out for me.

Dealing for Skubal as just a rental is all about the three-peat for me. The idea of him on one of those other rosters is a major roadblock in my mind. But if not for the opportunity to accomplish the three-peat, I'd say let them have him.

That's why I would do that trade.

If they insist on Hope over Tibbs, it gets murkier. Hope may be a future star. Unlikely for the Dodgers though because I feel any or all of the other 3 are more likely to stick.

I'd like to see Hope traded for more than a rental at some point. Including him instead of Tibbs here is borderline for me.

Hard no though if they want one of the other 3 OFers or Morales.

 

i reopened the poll so i could vote for sheehan to be jettisoned

 

@DodgersOnSI
The Dodgers are reportedly not interested in Tarik Skubal ahead of the trade deadline, per an MLB insider.


meh heyman speculation
could easily see AF leaking “we’re not interested” to (try to) keep the price lower

 

Right... otherwise it would make sense to feign interest to drive the price up.

 

every other team has to be wondering “what will the dodgers offer?” and “can we beat that?”
and who knows, maybe we really aren’t that interested
but we all know how AF likes to lie in the weeds and watch things play out before jumping in
no way boras can ask us for the sky if no one else is
imo our offer starts with sheehan
no wrobo, no de paula
probably no sirota too, but he and/or hope might have to be included
i do hate the idea of parting with anyone for a looming free agent coming off injury, but i also hate the thought of him going to milwaukee of atlanta

 

... or Philly

 

them too
just feels like him to atl or milw would be a nightmare

 

he was pretty pedestrian in his first three starts back
but his last one against NYY — 6.0 IP, 1H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, 87 P — was vintage skubal
curious to see how he does tomorrow vs the A’s

 

I fully agree with all this, but if the Dodgers trade for him it's all about the three-peat... so that they have him this postseason and their primary opponents don't. I don't think there's any world where they'd sign (or re-sign) him after this year.