Dodgers secure Tarik Skubal trade as Tigers acquire prospects River Ryan and Brady Smith

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired right-hander Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline, sending outfielder Zyhir Hope, right-hander River Ryan and right-hander Brady Smith to the Detroit Tigers. Hope and Ryan were among the top prospects on several ranking lists, while Smith added pitching depth to Detroit’s farm system.

Anonymous executives said the Dodgers’ financial flexibility, stemming from a deep rotation that includes Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, allowed them to offer a package that other clubs could not match. The Tigers prioritized overall value over a strict pitching requirement, considering proposals from the Brewers that included infielders Jesús Made and Luis Peña, as well as other prospects.

The Braves, Yankees, Cubs and Rays were also in the mix but did not present offers that satisfied Detroit’s criteria. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman declined to trade a specific shortstop the Tigers reportedly wanted, and the Rays’ proposals featured prospects farther from the major leagues.

River Ryan attracted Detroit because of his pitch repertoire, which ranks highly at the Triple-A level, and his contract control for four additional seasons. He posted a 1.33 ERA in four starts for the Dodgers before undergoing Tommy John surgery.

In a separate move, the Tigers traded right-hander Casey Mize and utilityman Gage Workman to the San Diego Padres for left-handed pitching prospects Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf, adding depth to their pitching pipeline.

Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller, facing a struggling rotation, acquired rental starters Casey Mize and Robbie Ray while retaining control over key relievers. The team remains competitive in the National League wild-card race.

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos opted for restraint at the deadline, acquiring only right-hander Tyler Mahle after declining other offers. The Braves continue to evaluate their rotation options for the postseason.

Other league notes include the Brewers’ confidence in their existing staff, the Seattle Mariners’ exploratory talks for shortstop Zach Neto, and ongoing discussions among executives about moving the trade-deadline date later in the season.

"I’m a big fan of Tyler as a pitcher and a person," Rays senior advisor Brandon Hyde said of reliever Tyler Wells, highlighting his competitiveness and clubhouse fit.

"They handled it great. Zero issues," one team executive commented on the process involving the Tigers’ front office.