Dodgers Likely to Acquire Pitcher Tarik Skubal Before Trade Deadline

ESPN insider Jeff Passan reported that the Detroit Tigers are expected to trade ace pitcher Tarik Skubal before the July 31 trade deadline, with most analysts predicting the Los Angeles Dodgers will be the acquiring team. Passan said, "[The rest of MLB] is all almost resigned to the idea that the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to get Tarik Skubal," and added that his guess is Skubal will be traded to the Dodgers.

Prediction market Kalshi shows a 49% probability that the Dodgers will acquire Skubal before the deadline and a 53% chance they will have him on the roster by Opening Day 2027. Sports reporter Bob Nightengale noted that the Dodgers are Skubal's "preferred destination" when he reaches free agency after the season, indicating a strong likelihood of the trade.

If the transaction occurs, Skubal would join a rotation that already includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Justin Wrobleski, further strengthening a staff that currently leads the league in wins and run differential. Analysts have highlighted concerns about competitive balance in Major League Baseball, noting that the Dodgers' dominance could affect league parity.