Brewers' offer for Tarik Skubal reportedly centered on shortstop Luis Peña
Milwaukee reportedly proposed a three-prospect package led by 19-year-old shortstop Luis Peña in its trade talks with Detroit for pitcher Tarik Skubal, but Detroit chose the Dodgers' offer instead.
Milwaukee was reported to have led its trade discussions with Detroit over pitcher Tarik Skubal with a package of three position-player prospects, the centerpiece being 19-year-old shortstop Luis Peña, according to MLB.com reporter Adam McCalvy. The Brewers’ initial proposal reportedly included two additional prospects, one of which was described as a Top 100-ranked talent, though their identities were not disclosed.
Detroit ultimately rejected the Brewers’ offer and dealt Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith. The Dodgers’ package featured Ryan, who was considered ready to join the major-league rotation shortly after the trade.
Peña, listed among the 25 best prospects by several ranking services, had posted a .297/.382/.407 line with two home runs and 20 steals in 42 High-A games before missing time due to dehydration and a hamstring strain. While his performance suggested potential, he had not yet advanced beyond High-A, and his development timeline was viewed as longer than that of the Dodgers’ pitcher.
Milwaukee’s willingness to assume the remaining $32 million of Skubal’s contract was noted, but the team was not expected to part with its top minor-league shortstop, Jesús Made, or recent extension signees Cooper Pratt and Luis Lara. The Brewers later traded another prospect, Alexander Frias, to St. Louis as part of a separate deal.
The Skubal trade leaves open the possibility of a future postseason matchup between the Brewers and Dodgers, who are slated to face each other in a four-game series at Dodger Stadium next week.