The Dodgers-Tigers Tarik Skubal trade twist nobody expected

The Los Angeles Dodgers were already the MLB world’s biggest villain heading into the 2026 season, as their unlimited resources and near-unparalleled ability to identify talent has made them the most unstoppable franchise in the sport. They somehow found a way to become even more loathed when they pulled off a trade for Tarik Skubal, giving up top prospects Zyhir Hope, River Ryan, and Brady Smith to the Detroit Tigers to complete the deal.

The Dodgers already had a top-notch starting rotation prior to acquiring Skubal. They have Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the biggest hero of the 2025 World Series, and they have the likes of Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Gavin Stone working their way back from the injured list. Adding Skubal would have made them an even bigger force, especially once they got a clean bill of health.

But since acquiring Skubal, the Dodgers haven’t exactly dominated. In fact, they have even struggled. As ESPN Insights pointed out on X, the Dodgers have gone just 1-6 since acquiring the 28-year-old southpaw. Meanwhile, the Tigers have won five of their past seven games and are now just one game back of the third Wild Card spot in the AL.

The Dodgers’ offense has not been at its best over this current skid of theirs. But overall, they have simply not been performing too well. The starting rotation’s injury problems have been taking a toll (Shohei Ohtani is not pitching at the moment due to various injuries), and their depth is being stretched thin.

However, LA has the luxury of not hitting the panic button. They are still 7.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the NL West lead, and Snell is scheduled to return to the mound on Tuesday. Glasnow and Stone are currently on rehab assignments in the minor leagues, so they shouldn’t be too far off from returning as well.

The MLB world’s overreaction to the Skubal trade is certainly understandable and arguably justified. But the Dodgers are yet to become the world-beating squad everyone believes they’ll be. Perhaps by October, it’ll be a different story.

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