Dodgers rumors: LA may have hidden motive behind Tarik Skubal pursuit

The Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be ramping up their pursuit of Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, whose trade status continues to be the talk of the MLB as the trade deadline approaches. As much as the Tigers are hoping to bring themselves right back into the hunt for a postseason spot, they will have to face reality sooner or later — which means that Skubal, who is in the last year of his contract, is still likely to be on the move.

If there’s a contending team that doesn’t necessarily need Skubal to win it all, it’s the Dodgers. They have the best record in MLB at the time of writing (68-40), and they have managed to weather injury problems to Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. Having Skubal would simply be a luxury, although it will cost them some considerable prospect capital.

And the Dodgers, out of their relentless quest to win a third-consecutive World Series title, might end up going all-out and trade for Skubal to weaken their rivals.

“The Dodgers don’t seem anxious to trade a big prospect package for Tarik Skubal, but they do remain interested in making sure baseball’s best pitcher doesn’t go to the Brewers, Braves, Phillies or any other main competitor,” Jon Heyman of the New York Post wrote.

“The Dodgers play a great offense, but defense could ultimately lead them to make a winning bid for Skubal, who seems more likely to be traded with the Tigers struggling now.”

LA certainly has the prospect capital to turn the Tigers’ head. They have nine prospects in MLB.com’s top 100 prospects list, and all of those players could conceivably headline a huge return for Detroit as they look to capitalize on Skubal’s value as a trade asset before he hits free agency.

It might be very greedy for the Dodgers to acquire Skubal just to prevent him from going to a direct rival. But if that’s what it would take to win another title, then it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone if they win the bidding war for the 29-year-old lefty.

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