Dodgers Land Tarik Skubal for 3 Prospects as Tigers Favor Value Over Pitching Need
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 7
Dodgers Land Tarik Skubal for 3 Prospects as Tigers Favor Value Over Pitching Need
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 7
Summary
Zyhir Hope, River Ryan and Brady Smith went to Detroit for Tarik Skubal, with Hope and Ryan the highest-ranked prospects moved in the deal by several evaluators.
Detroit chose the Dodgers because their package offered the best overall value and closer-to-the-majors talent, not because the Tigers required pitching in return.
River Ryan especially appealed despite limited recent innings and Tommy John surgery; the 27-year-old has five above-average-to-elite pitches, a 1.33 ERA in four 2024 starts and four more seasons of club control.
Other suitors fell short for different reasons: the Yankees would not move George Lombard Jr., the Brewers resisted surrendering top infield prospects, and the Braves, Cubs and Rays never matched Los Angeles' offer.
The deal also reflected the Dodgers' financial depth, which let them stockpile expensive major-league starters and still trade premium prospects to strengthen their repeat bid.