1 trade Dodgers must not make at 2026 MLB trade deadline

The Los Angeles Dodgers already shocked MLB by trading for former Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal days ahead of the 2026 deadline. The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner’s presence will undoubtedly add another top-flight arm that could help the club become the first team since the 1990s New York Yankees to win three straight World Series titles.

“Watching playoff baseball, outside of when the Dodgers play, is fun for me,” Friedman told Katie Woo of The Athletic. “To not have a rooting interest and just sit back and enjoy the theater of October baseball, watching Tarik Skubal pitch in the playoffs last year was must-see TV. I was in awe watching the energy, the dominance he exhibited there.

“I can’t wait to see it in Dodger blue.”

Beyond any other moves the Dodgers could make ahead of Monday’s deadline, they should not part ways with top prospects Josue De Paula and Mike Sirota. Both are outfielders and could be pivotal down the road as they hope to remain prosperous for years to come.

Both have shown the kind of promise that could result in genuine big league success. Further, even if the franchise wanted to make another blockbuster move, it would need assets such as De Paula and Sirota to headline a potential package.

The Dodgers should attempt to build around Josue De Paula and Mike Sirota

Both De Paula and Sirota are outfielders for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. Presently, Los Angeles’ outfield is constructed of Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker, and Teoscar Hernandez. Tucker is under contract for the next several years, but both Hernandez and Pages are on shorter-term leashes that could expire or become casualties of a future trade.

Through 94 games this season, De Paula has earned a .964 OPS, cranked 20 home runs, and recorded 80 RBI. Across 90 games in 2026 thus far, Sirota cranked 16 home runs and put up a 1.031 OPS.

For much of the league, Double-A has become the primary breeding ground for major league talent. In other words, if a player can succeed at that level, executives and scouts believe that a larger jump is possible. There is a shot that both De Paula and Sirota have already proven themselves to be talents who could thrive if given the proper time and space.

Beyond any idealistic expectations for De Paula and Sirota, they are the two prospects who may mean the most for Los Angeles in the long term. Friedman and the rest of the front office have proven time and time again that they are more than willing to take a big swing when needed and pursue top-end talent through trades.

To maintain this boldness, it will be critical for the organization to preserve this ability; it will be crucial to have a strong farm system.

Now that the Dodgers have acquired Skubal for a more-than-reasonable price, they must ensure that they do not decimate their farm system going forward. The club may choose to make more significant moves, but it should come at the expense of either De Paula or Sirota.

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