You knew it was going to happen. The Dodgers weren’t going to let Skubal get away, and they certainly weren’t about to face him.
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They had the money, and they had the prospects.
All it took was top pitching prospect River Ryan, outfielder Zyhir Hope and starter Brady Smith, and $9.93 million to convince the Detroit Tigers there was no need to delay their decision, and trade Skubal to the Dodgers.
So, go ahead and start the parade route.
The Dodgers are going to three-peat.
You know it. Their rivals know it. And those demanding a salary cap know it.
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City. The crown jewel of the 2026 MLB trade deadline is undoubtedly two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ lefty has missed some time due to injury this season, but still boasts a remarkable 2.70 ERA on the season while striking out 11 batters per nine innings pitched.
In a sense, this has been Skubal’s best season. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is the highest it’s ever been at 8.46. His FIP (2.68) is still elite and below where his ERA currently stands. All that to say that every team in position to contend for a World Series this year should be dialing the Tigers’ number and trying to get their paws on Skubal.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City. The crown jewel of the 2026 MLB trade deadline is undoubtedly two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ lefty has missed some time due to injury this season, but still boasts a remarkable 2.70 ERA on the season while striking out 11 batters per nine innings pitched.
In a sense, this has been Skubal’s best season. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is the highest it’s ever been at 8.46. His FIP (2.68) is still elite and below where his ERA currently stands. All that to say that every team in position to contend for a World Series this year should be dialing the Tigers’ number and trying to get their paws on Skubal.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers poses for a photo during the Tigers’ photo day on February 20, 2020 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.
(Brian Blanco, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Pitcher Tarik Skubal practices during Detroit Tigers spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY Network)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal thought he knew heat with 82 strikeouts in 42 1/3 Double-A innings last year. And then he got COVID-19.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY Network)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches to Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Progressive Field on Aug. 23, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Manager A. J. Hinch and Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers watch batting practice before the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 17, 2021 in Seattle, Wash.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Cleveland Indians during the fourth inning at Comerica Park on May 25, 2021, in Detroit, Mich.
(Duane Burleson, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 signals to Jake Rogers of the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on July 8, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Twins defeated the Tigers 5-3.
(David Berding, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Detroit Tigers players (L-R) Jake Rogers #34, Tarik Skubal #29, Gregory Soto #65 and Grayson Greiner #17 hold up placards for cancer awareness night during Pink Out the Park at Comerica Park during a game against the Texas Rangers on July 21, 2021, in Detroit, Mich.
(Duane Burleson, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Nicky Lopez #8 of the Kansas City Royals slides safely into first past starting pitcher Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers for a single in the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium on April 15, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.
(Ed Zurga, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on June 01, 2022 in Detroit, Mich.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers throws to Spencer Torkelson #20 for the second out in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 11, 2023 in Boston, Mass.
(Brian Fluharty, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a portrait during photo day at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Feb. 23, 2024 in Lakeland, Fla.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers talks with home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez as the grounds crew work on the field during a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 5, 2024 in New York City.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
(L-R) Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians, Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers, Cole Ragans #55 of the Kansas City Royals and Riley Greene #31 of the Detroit Tigers look on prior to the 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
(Richard Rodriguez, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on July 22, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers in action during the game against the New York Yankees at Bowman Field on August 18, 2024 in South Williamsport, Pa.
(Joe Sargent, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal warms up before the game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Sept. 6, 2024.
(Darren Yamashita, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers reacts after recording a strikeout against the Houston Astros to end the fourth inning during Game One of the Wild Card Series at Minute Maid Park on Oc. 1, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with teammates after defeating the Houston Astros 5-2 in Game Two of the Wild Card Series to advance to the ALDS at Minute Maid Park on Oct. 2, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers high five teammates prior to the game against the Cleveland Guardians during Game Five of the Division Series at Progressive Field on Oct.12, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal receives The Outstanding American league Pitcher 2024 Award during the 2025 BBWAA Dinner at New York Hilton Midtown on Jan. 25, 2025 in New York City.
(Roy Rochlin, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers pitches in a 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers during a 2025 Major League Baseball season home opening game at Dodger Stadium on Mar. 27, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians stretches a single as starting pitcher Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers tries to make the tag during the third inning at Progressive Field on July 6, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after the last out of the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on July 6, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 in game three of the American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on Oct. 2, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal, American League Cy Young Award Winner gives acceptance speech during the Baseball Writers of America Awards Dinner at New York Hilton Midtown on Jan. 24, 2026 in New York City.
(Michelle Farsi, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on April 1, 2026 in Phoenix.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers greets his teammates as he walks to the dugout for a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
The Dodgers tried to play coy throughout the process, saying they were just fine without Skubal, and didn’t need him.
Then, they looked in the mirror. Who were they kidding?
They had Yoshinobu Yamamoto and four question marks.
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You really think they were going to let the Milwaukee Brewers grab him and team him with Jacob Misiorowski?
Or Atlanta with Chris Sale?
Nope.
They wanted nothing to do with the possibility of facing Skubal. And what’s the best way to avoid that? Get him yourself.
Oh, and just to get any suspense out of the way — Skubal will be signing with the Dodgers as a free agent.
Book it.
Everyone in favor of a salary cap will be using this is Exhibit A. Yet, the truth is that the Dodgers grabbed their man simply with prospects.
This had nothing to do with money, but everything to do with the organization’s talent.
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In return, they’ve all but guaranteed themselves a World Series.
Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations, tipped his hand earlier in the week when he said: “There just aren’t many star-level players in the game. Any time one is available, we’re always going to participate in those conversations.’
So the Dodgers did just like that, like they traded for Mookie Betts, signed Freddie Freeman, and signed Ohtani, Snell, Edwin Diaz and Kyle Tucker.
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Whoever the Dodgers want, they get.
They will be remembered forever in baseball history, becoming the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series championships.
No one is capable of stopping them.
It may be only Aug. 1, but it might as well be Nov. 1.
The World Series trophy is going to the Dodgers – who have the most money, the most prospects, the most talent and the smartest front office.
Everybody can yell about a salary cap. Bring it all on. The Dodgers don’t care.
Their biggest thought now is clearing space for another World Series championship trophy.
See you at the parade.
Foillow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tarik Skubal trade guarantees Dodgers another World Series crown | Opinion
