Tarik Skubal trade grades for Dodgers-Tigers deadline blockbuster

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The Los Angeles Dodgers went out and did their thing, agreeing to a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Tigers for back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal less than 48 hours before the MLB trade deadline.

Already the favorites to win a third consecutive World Series title, the Dodgers add the best player available in Skubal, who is a free agent at the end of the season and expected to command the biggest contract ever for a pitcher.

“They’ve got a good group,” Skubal said of the Dodgers through tears after the Tigers’ game on Saturday night. “I’m excited.”

Los Angeles will send right-hander River Ryan, outfielder Zyhir Hope, and righty Brady Smith to Detroit in the deal.

Here’s a look at the trade that shakes up the balance of MLB power in 2026:

Tarik Skubal trade details

Dodgers receive: LHP Tarik Skubal
Tigers receive: RHP River Ryan, OF Zyhir Hope, RHP Brady Smith

Dodgers trade grade: A

Skubal will immediately join World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto and 2026 All-Star Justin Wrobleski in the Dodgers rotation, while Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell each try to make their way back from injury in the weeks to come. Shohei Ohtani also hasn’t pitched in weeks due to a knee issue, so the blockbuster takes a ton of weight off Yamamoto – and the currently sidelined pitchers – as the calendar flips to August.

Tigers trade grade: B

Not an awful return on a deal that had to come together quickly, landing one of the game’s top prospects in Hope. But the Detroit regime will face questions after settling for Ryan − rather than say, Emmet Sheehan, as the MLB-ready pitcher coming back.

This was the best they could do with so much time still left on the clock before Monday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline?