The Los Angeles Dodgers have emphatically declared themselves as the team to beat once again in 2026.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Dodgers have acquired pitcher Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. In exchange, the Tigers received pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith and outfielder Zyhir Hope.
The two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner, Skubal had reportedly said that signing with the Dodgers was his top priority in free agency.
He will get a sneak preview before hitting the open market. Skubal had posted a 2.79 ERA and a 0.910 WHiP over his 96.2 innings, striking out 116 batters with 14 walks.
Los Angeles Dodgers pay high price but get top trade target in Tarik Skubal
Skubal will not come cheaply as the Dodgers parted ways with a pair of top-100 prospects. Hope, the Dodgers’ fifth-ranked prospect and the 25th-best prospect overall per MLB.com, has impressive bat speed and raw power. He does have an element of swing and miss in his game but has also displayed a solid eye at the plate and a strong hit tool. His speed should allow Hope to stick in center, but he has the arm strength to handle a move to right field if necessary.
The Dodgers’ seventh-best prospect, and 68th-best prospect overall per MLB.com, Ryan is on the older side for a prospect at 27 years old. A two-way prospect in college, he initially began his professional career as an infielder before converting to the mound full-time in 2022. Ryan quickly rose through the ranks, making four impressive appearances with the Dodgers in 2024 before requiring Tommy John surgery. He is considered to have a plus fastball and slider, with the former hitting triple digits. A cutter, curve and changeup round out his arsenal, giving the Tigers a premium prospect who could step directly into the rotation once he returns from a strained hamstring.
Smith had been ranked as the Dodgers’ 17th-best prospect per MLB.com. A third-round selection in the 2023 MLB Draft, Tommy John surgery delayed Smith’s debut until 2025. His mid-80s fading changeup is regarded as a plus offering, while his fastball has been clocked as high as 98 MPH and could eventually become a second plus pitch. Smith also has a slider, cutter and curve, all of which are considered to show promise although they need more development.
The Dodgers have their eyes on a three-peat this season. Landing Skubal made that path a lot easier.
