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Dodgers Land Two-Time Cy Young Winner Tarik Skubal in Blockbuster Trade

The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to acquire Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, in a deal reported Saturday night. The Tigers receive three prospects as the defending champions bolster their rotation for a three-peat run.

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Dodgers Land Two-Time Cy Young Winner Tarik Skubal in Blockbuster Trade

Dodgers Land Two-Time Cy Young Winner Tarik Skubal in Blockbuster Trade

The short answer

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired the biggest prize of the MLB trade deadline: two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. Multiple reports, first from ESPN, say the Dodgers sent three minor-league prospects — right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith and outfielder Zyhir Hope — to Detroit. Sportsnet reports the deal was agreed during Detroit's win over the Athletics on Saturday night, even as the Tigers sat just 2 1/2 games from a wild-card spot. Skubal, a 29-year-old left-hander, is on a one-year, $32 million contract and becomes a free agent after the World Series. That makes this a high-stakes rental for Los Angeles, the two-time defending champions who already have Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Mookie Betts. Skubal won AL Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025, leading the league in ERA both seasons. He was 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA in 2024 and 13-6 with a 2.21 ERA in 2025, then backed it up with a 1.74 ERA and 36 strikeouts in last year's playoffs. Detroit drafted him in the ninth round in 2018 and made him the centerpiece of their rotation. He said in July he wanted to finish the season with the Tigers and chase a title, but Detroit's recent slide — four losses in five home games — and his looming free agency changed the calculus. The Dodgers become even heavier favorites to become the first team to three-peat since the Yankees from 1998-2000.

Why it's trending

Reports surfaced Saturday night that the Dodgers finalized a trade for Skubal, the biggest name on the trade market. The blockbuster sent shockwaves through MLB fans, instantly shifting World Series odds and dominating search interest as the trade deadline approached.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired the biggest prize of the trade deadline, getting two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers, according to ESPN as reported by Sportsnet and TSN. The deal for the 29-year-old was agreed during the Tigers' win over the Athletics on Saturday night, per Sportsnet. Los Angeles sent three minor-league prospects to Detroit: right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith and outfielder Zyhir Hope.

Both Sportsnet and TSN confirm the trade and the prospect package, citing ESPN's Jeff Passan. There is one notable discrepancy: TSN describes Skubal as a '6-foot-3 righty,' while Sportsnet identifies him as a lefty. Player records confirm he pitches left-handed, so TSN's wording appears to be a typo. TSN adds that Skubal is on a one-year, $32 million contract and becomes a free agent after this season; Sportsnet notes that $32 million is a record arbitration salary.

Skubal was drafted by Detroit in the ninth round in 2018 and developed into a staff ace. He won back-to-back Cy Young Awards and ERA titles in 2024 (18-4, 2.39 ERA, 228 strikeouts) and 2025 (13-6, 2.21 ERA, 241 strikeouts), per TSN. He starred in last season's playoffs, striking out 14 in an AL Wild Card Series Game 1 win and 13 in the ALDS Game 5 loss, finishing the postseason with a 1.74 ERA. Detroit had surged back into wild-card contention after being 16 games under .500, but then lost four of five at home before the trade.

Skubal told reporters in July he preferred to finish the season with the Tigers and compete for a championship, but Detroit's recent slide and his impending free agency led the team to pivot. The two-time defending champion Dodgers, already favorites to three-peat, add Skubal to a star-laden roster featuring Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Mookie Betts. With Skubal expected to sign a massive deal in the offseason, this is a rental that could define the Dodgers' title chase and the Tigers' rebuild.

Timeline

  1. Skubal Drafted by Tigers

    Detroit selected Tarik Skubal in the ninth round of the MLB draft (TSN).

  2. First Cy Young Season

    Skubal went 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts, winning the AL Cy Young Award and ERA title (TSN).

  3. Second Cy Young Season

    Skubal posted a 13-6 record with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts, winning his second straight Cy Young Award (TSN).

  4. Playoff Star

    Skubal struck out 14 in a Wild Card Series Game 1 win and 13 in an ALDS Game 5 loss, finishing with a 1.74 ERA and 36 strikeouts in three starts (TSN).

  5. Skubal States Preference to Stay

    Skubal said his preference was to finish the season with the Tigers and compete for a World Series (Sportsnet).

  6. Tigers Add Talent

    Detroit signed pitcher Framber Valdez to a $115 million, three-year deal and retained infielder Gleyber Torres on a $22 million deal (Sportsnet).

  7. Tigers' Slide

    Detroit lost four of its last five home games, including Skubal's last start, after getting within 2 1/2 games of a wild-card spot (Sportsnet).

  8. Trade Agreed and Reported

    The Dodgers and Tigers agreed to a trade sending Skubal to Los Angeles for three prospects, first reported by ESPN and confirmed by Sportsnet and TSN.

Questions people ask

Why did the Tigers trade Skubal if they were in playoff contention?

According to Sportsnet, Detroit had gotten within 2 1/2 games of a wild-card spot but then lost four of its last five home games, including Skubal's last start. With Skubal eligible for free agency after the season and expected to sign a massive contract, the Tigers chose a rebuild with prospects over losing him for nothing.

What did the Dodgers give up for Skubal?

The Tigers received three minor-league prospects: right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith and outfielder Zyhir Hope, according to ESPN via Sportsnet and TSN.

How dominant has Skubal been?

He won back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025, leading the league in ERA both seasons. In 2024 he was 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA; in 2025 he went 13-6 with a 2.21 ERA. In last season's playoffs, he posted a 1.74 ERA with 36 strikeouts in three starts (TSN).

Is Skubal a rental?

Yes. He is on a one-year, $32 million contract and becomes a free agent after the World Series, per Sportsnet and TSN. Sportsnet reports he is expected to sign a massive contract in the offseason.

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