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Jeff Passan at TSN offered an interesting framing of the Dodgers’ pursuit of Tarik Skubal ahead of the trade deadline: Los Angeles doesn’t “really need” the Tigers’ ace. That’s a notable shift in tone from the same reporter who recently said a Skubal trade to the Dodgers was “expected.” The implication here isn’t that the Dodgers have cooled — it’s that their interest comes from a position of strength rather than desperation.

And honestly, that’s the most Dodgers thing imaginable. This is a team that already has a rotation stacked with frontline arms. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been excellent. Roki Sasaki has come into his own as the electric young starter we all hoped he’d be when he signed. Blake Snell is nearing a return from the IL and just struck out nine in a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Tyler Glasnow has been facing hitters as he works his way back. Eric Lauer just tossed a complete game shutout against the Mariners. The depth is real — so Passan’s point makes sense on its face.

But here’s why Skubal still matters. He’s a legitimate Cy Young-caliber arm — he won the award in 2024, posting a 2.39 ERA with 228 strikeouts in 192 innings for Detroit. He followed that up with another dominant season in 2025. A pitcher with his combination of stuff, command, and durability is rare, and the Dodgers have never been the kind of organization that says “we have enough.” Andrew Friedman all but confirmed the pursuit earlier this week, and reports indicate Skubal himself views the Dodgers as his preferred destination in free agency, which adds a layer of leverage to any trade discussions.

Passan’s framing is important context for how this deal might (or might not) get done. If the Dodgers don’t “need” Skubal, they’re not going to overpay in a way that guts the farm system beyond what’s reasonable. Detroit knows the Dodgers are the most viable suitor, but the Dodgers know they’re operating from surplus. That’s a classic deadline chess match — and Friedman has already signaled that trading outfield prospects will become necessary at some point.

I think the key takeaway here is straightforward: the Dodgers want Skubal, but they’re not going to panic if the price gets unreasonable. With Snell and Glasnow both trending toward returns, and Lauer pitching like an All-Star, the rotation can hold up without adding a generational arm. Adding Skubal would turn a great rotation into a historically loaded one — especially come October. But “don’t really need” is a negotiating posture as much as it is analysis. The Dodgers are telling Detroit (and the rest of the league) that they’ll be just fine either way. Whether that’s true in a seven-game playoff series against, say, the Phillies or Braves is a different conversation entirely.

We’re in the final hours before the deadline. This one is still very much alive, but Passan’s comments suggest there’s a ceiling on what the Dodgers are willing to give up. That’s smart. Don’t fall in love with the idea of a player to the point where you destroy your future to get him. Friedman has always understood that balance better than most.

Source(s): Jeff Passan (TSN) | First reported: July 31, 2026 5:54 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers