Dodgers Acquire Tarik Skubal for Three Prospects; Friedman Rejects 'Ruining' Claim

The Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a trade for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal in exchange for Zyhir Hope, River Ryan, and Brady Smith.

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal on Saturday in exchange for a three-prospect package consisting of outfielder Zyhir Hope and starting pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith. The deal was essentially finalized moments before the Dodgers' 6:10 p.m. PT first pitch on Saturday, when president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman informed manager Dave Roberts that the transaction was complete pending medical reviews. Skubal joined his new teammates in the dugout for Sunday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox, a game the Dodgers lost 8-4. The 29-year-old left-hander is scheduled to make his Dodgers debut Tuesday at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs.

Skubal arrives in Los Angeles boasting a 2.79 ERA through 16 starts this season, having recorded 116 strikeouts and 14 walks across 96.2 innings. His recent form includes a 2.03 ERA in July, following a six-week absence for a NanoScope procedure to address bone chips in his left elbow. Between 2024 and 2025, Skubal established himself as a premier arm, posting a 31-10 record with a 2.30 ERA and 469 strikeouts in 387.1 innings. During that span, his 12.6 FanGraphs wins above replacement (WAR) led all major league pitchers.

Roster Impact and Trade Deadline Logistics

To accommodate Skubal in the starting rotation, Eric Lauer will move to the bullpen. Lauer is widely expected to be traded before the Monday 3 p.m. PT deadline. The Dodgers entered Sunday tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the best rotation ERA in MLB. The pitching staff is expected to see further reinforcements soon, as Blake Snell is projected to return in two weeks and Tyler Glasnow has begun a rehab assignment. Shohei Ohtani remains expected to pitch eventually despite dealing with soreness in his left knee.

In securing Skubal, the Dodgers front office refused to include Josue DePaula, a consensus top-25 prospect requested by Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris. Instead, Detroit received Zyhir Hope, a 21-year-old left-handed hitter currently slashing .293/.369/.530 with 23 home runs and 18 stolen bases in Double-A. The package also featured River Ryan, a 28-year-old starter described as major league ready, and Brady Smith. Los Angeles retained other high-ceiling talents including Mike Sirota, Eduardo Quintero, Emmet Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski, and Roki Sasaki.

Friedman Responds to Industry Criticism

The acquisition sparked immediate backlash from rival scouts and executives who questioned why teams like the Tampa Bay Rays or Milwaukee Brewers did not prevent the move. When asked if the Dodgers are ruining baseball, Andrew Friedman stated he "passionately" disagreed. Friedman characterized the trade as a rare opportunity to enhance championship odds rather than a response to an acute need. He noted that the organization intends to be aggressive when star-level players who can shift postseason outcomes become available.

Manager Dave Roberts echoed these sentiments on Sunday, noting that the blowback is a result of the team's success in developing a farm system that ranks among the top three in baseball. Roberts spoke with Skubal via telephone late Saturday night to welcome him to the club. The manager emphasized that the Dodgers utilized resources and players that were available to any other franchise in the league.

Skubal’s Path to Los Angeles

Originally a ninth-round pick in the 2018 draft, Skubal emerged as a dominant force during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Friedman noted he was particularly impressed by Skubal’s performance in the American League Division Series last year, where the pitcher exhibited significant energy and dominance. The Dodgers front office identified Skubal as the primary target for this year's trade deadline, viewing him as a unique talent capable of making a meaningful difference in the pursuit of a World Series title. Friedman concluded that the franchise is focused on rewarding its fan base and maximizing a special era in the organization's history.