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Jeff Passan at the New York Post reports there is “nothing in the way” of the Dodgers completing a trade for Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, per an MLB insider. That’s about as strong a signal as you’ll get without an official announcement. We’ve been tracking this one for weeks now — from Skubal reportedly viewing the Dodgers as his “first preference” in free agency, to Ken Rosenthal’s reporting on the Tigers’ asking price, to baseball executives widely predicting this exact outcome. This latest report from Passan strips away the remaining ambiguity: the path is clear, and the Dodgers appear to be the frontrunner to land the best pitcher available before the deadline.

Skubal has established himself as one of the premier arms in baseball. The left-hander won the American League Cy Young Award in 2024 after posting a 2.39 ERA across 31 starts for Detroit, striking out 228 batters in 192 innings. That season was a full arrival after years of flashing elite stuff but battling injuries, including Tommy John surgery that wiped out most of his 2023 campaign. His recovery from that procedure has been nothing short of remarkable — he came back throwing harder, with better command, and with a slider that ranks among the nastiest pitches in the sport. In 2026, he’s continued pitching like a frontline ace, which is exactly why the Tigers have been able to command such a hefty return in trade discussions. He’s under club control through the end of this season, making the acquisition cost significant but the potential reward enormous for a team built to win now.

The Dodgers’ pursuit of Skubal makes sense on every level. Even with Blake Snell nearing a return from his rehab stint and Tyler Glasnow facing hitters again, the rotation depth has been tested all season. Adding Skubal would give us a legitimate 1-2-3 punch at the top of the rotation that could match up against anyone in October. Andrew Friedman has already signaled a willingness to move outfield prospects to improve the roster — a comment that reads like a direct preview of the kind of package Detroit would demand.

I’ll say this plainly: if Passan is reporting “nothing in the way,” that usually means the framework is there and it’s a matter of finalizing details. The Dodgers have the prospect capital, the financial flexibility, and the motivation. Detroit knows Skubal wants to be in Los Angeles long-term, which limits their leverage with other suitors. This feels less like speculation and more like a matter of when, not if. We should know more in the coming days as the deadline approaches, but the momentum here is undeniable. This could be the biggest trade deadline acquisition for the Dodgers in years — and given our recent history, that’s saying something.

Source(s): Jeff Passan (New York Post) | First reported: August 1, 2026 12:11 AM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers