As the 29-year-old starting pitcher leaves the city he called home for his entire MLB career to return to his home state of California, the organization in Motor City posted a farewell message.

“For what you mean to this city. For what you mean to these fans. For what you mean to this team. Thank you, Skub,” the Tigers wrote on a social media post bidding farewell to their longtime starting pitcher.

Skubal is ready for next chapter

Meanwhile, Skubal sent an emotional message to the Tigers and expressed his excitement about joining the Dodgers. Skubal couldn’t hide his excitement as he joins the apex predator in MLB. By adding the former Tigers ace, the Dodgers can make the case that they boast the most dominant pitching rotation in league history.

The Tigers fought all they could, but destiny arrived all the same. With the clock ticking before the MLB trade deadline and the team mired below .500, there was simply no way they could hold on to Skubal. If Detroit did, it would have been in vain, as the ace would have left in free agency after the season.

Just as the Dodgers had the assets to pull off a trade, they also could have handed Skubal a blank check to fill in the zeros. One way or another, Skubal was LA-bound. This way, at least, the Tigers come away with prospects in return.

Skubal’s return to Comerica Park

As the trade has been made official, Skubal and the Dodgers can look ahead to the final stretch of the 2026 campaign. That includes a three-game road series against the Tigers, meaning Skubal already knows when he will return to Motor City.

The Dodgers will be in town from Aug. 28-30, and it’s likely Skubal will start at least one of those games, giving fans one last chance to see him pitch at Comerica Park before the season ends. It will be the first of many, as Detroit fans will have to get used to seeing Skubal in a different uniform.

“I’m extremely grateful for everything the Tigers have done for me,” he said via ESPN. “Drafting me in 2018, giving a kid from a small college an opportunity, and providing me with every resource available… Everything has always been there for me.

“They always had answers and a plan for me; so, yes, I feel like I’ve been through a lot and experienced plenty of failures early in my career, but this organization never stopped believing in me. They kept sending me out there to pitch every five days, even when I probably didn’t deserve it. It’s something I will never take for granted.”

Visibly emotional and with his voice breaking, Skubal reflected on what lies ahead in this new chapter of his career with the Dodgers: “Yes, it’s exciting,” he said. “I’m excited.”

Skubal’s legacy in Detroit

As one of the most dominant aces of his era, Tarik Skubal leaves an indelible legacy in Detroit Tigers history as the undisputed anchor of their rotation. Highlighted by back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards (2024, 2025) and an iconic 2024 AL Pitching Triple Crown—leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts—Skubal transformed into a elite force on the mound.

Across his career in Detroit, the team that also shared a farewell message following Skubal’s departure, the two-time All-Star recorded more than 60 wins, posted an ERA around 3.04, and tallied nearly 1,000 strikeouts, cementing his status alongside franchise legends as one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers in team history.

Dodgers pursuing a three-peat

Although Tarik Skubal is not taking the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Boston Red Sox, the excitement surrounding their new acquisition is still at an all-time high. The Dodgers are looking to win their third consecutive World Series title.

In 2024, they eliminated Aaron Boone’s New York Yankees in a dominant 4-1 series, while in 2025, their next victim was the Toronto Blue Jays, with the final series being much closer at 4-3.

Unfortunately for Dodgers fans, they’ll have to wait until they see Skubal on the mound with the classic blue cap. The Dodgers will send Emmet Sheehan to the mound tonight vs Red Sox, and Skubal needs time to travel, join the team, and line up for his first official start after leaving the Tigers.

Skubal, whose salary compares to Shohei Ohtani, will provide the Dodgers with an absolute boost as they’ve been dealing with some sort of injuries on their opening rotation. Still, it won’t be tonight against the Red Sox.

Emmet Sheehan’s stats in 2026

Emmet Sheehan has recorded a 4–7 record, a 4.95 ERA, and 104 strikeouts over 19 appearances and 92.2 innings pitched. Hence, Dodgers fans really hoped Skubal could make a quick debut, but it won’t be the case.

Sheehan is still a serviceable pitcher. He features an electric fastball and a sharp slider, but has fought through stretches of poor command and high ERAs. That’s all it is right now.

The Red Sox are in red-hot form

The Red Sox are 7-3 in the last 10 games. However, the Dodgers are 69-42 this season. Hence, this could be a barnburner of a game. Ceddanne Rafaela and Caleb Durbin have improved massively.

Hence, if Sheehan is not in a good day, the Red Sox can torch him. This will be an absolute must-see game. These are two very good teams in an inter-league matchup.

Skubal won a historic salary arbitration case for the 2026 season, securing a $32 million salary. After completing the trade, the Dodgers assumed the remaining prorated portion of that deal, meaning they will pay approximately $10.3 million to $10.5 million through the end of the regular season.

Ohtani‘s annual salary situation is entirely different. Although he signed a 10-year, $700 million contract ahead of the 2024 season, he agreed to defer $680 million of the deal, receiving just $2 million in annual salary through 2033. The remaining deferred payments—worth $68 million per year—will begin in 2034.

Looking ahead, Skubal is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. After winning multiple Cy Young Awards, he is expected to pursue a long-term contract worth approximately $35 million to $40 million annually, without deferred payments.

The Dodgers-Tigers trade

As reported by Jeff Passan on X, the blockbuster trade sends two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a three-prospect package heading to the Detroit Tigers: outfielder Zyhir Hope along with right-handed pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith.

In pursuit of a three-peat

With a dominant 69–42 record atop the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers have firmly cemented their status as clear favorites to capture a third consecutive World Series title. Bolstering an already elite roster, the addition of Skubal gives Los Angeles an unstoppable rotation alongside Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Blake Snell, positioning the franchise for a historic championship three-peat.

How much can Skubal give the Dodgers?

Before the trade, Skubal was once again performing as one of baseball’s premier left-handers for Detroit in 2026, posting a 2.79 ERA, a 7–5 record, and 114 strikeouts over 96.2 innings pitched across 16 starts. His ability to neutralize elite righty-heavy lineups provides Los Angeles with the ultimate rotation anchor, making their path through October virtually unassailable.

“Price tag on pitching superstar Tarik Skubal described as enormous by multiple interested execs. About 70 hours to go, so there’s time,” the insider of the New York Post wrote on his X account. Which team will be willing to pay the price?

Shohei Ohtani’s recent struggles have made the Los Angeles Dodgers the leading frontrunner to land the pitcher. However, with the MLB trade deadline fast approaching, nothing has been decided yet.

The reasons behind the interest in Tarik Skubal

Tarik Skubal continues to be one of the most dominant starting pitchers in the league, posting a 2.79 ERA, 116 strikeouts, and a 7–5 record across 16 starts (96.2 IP) this season. As a reigning Cy Young winner, he is the premier target ahead of the trade deadline because elite, frontline ace pitching is at an absolute premium for championship contenders.

With Detroit struggling to stay in playoff contention, his combination of game-changing postseason upside and elite swing-and-miss stuff makes him a potential franchise-altering addition for any team looking to go all-in.

Time is running out

With the MLB trade deadline set for Monday, August 3, at 6:00 p.m. ET, contenders must move quickly if they hope to land Tarik Skubal. Because MLB enforced a strict single deadline with no waiver trade period later in August, August 3 represents a hard cutoff for adding postseason-eligible talent.

“While everybody is thinking that the Brewers are gonna be in it, that the Rays are gonna be in it, that the Atlanta Braves are gonna be in it, they’re all almost resigned to the idea that the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to get Tarik Skubal,” Passan said on ESPN’s First Take.

The pitcher appears set to leave Comerica Park in the near future. What remains uncertain is whether he will ultimately become a new teammate of Shohei Ohtani for the final stretch of the season.

How would Skubal fit in LA?

Tarik Skubal’s profile fits Dave Roberts’ managerial approach smoothly. With a strong 2026 campaign underway for Detroit—posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 110 strikeouts over 90 innings—Skubal offers the ideal mix of dominant velocity and sharp command.

That ability to rack up whiffs while staying efficient is right down Roberts’ alley, giving him a reliable ace who can maneuver through deep lineups and lighten the load on the bullpen.

Ohtani could be the key to adding Skubal

Shohei Ohtani’s physical issues could be a factor when it comes to pitching. According to insider Jon Morosi on X, those concerns could accelerate the Dodgers’ interest in acquiring Skubal.

“The Dodgers’ interest in Tarik Skubal has increased due to questions surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s availability to pitch, as I reported on @MLBNetwork earlier,” Morosi wrote. “Yet it is unlikely the Tigers could obtain OF prospect Josue De Paula as the headliner in a multi-player package.”

According to reports around MLB, the Tigers are coming to terms with the undeniable reality—or at least they should. Skubal’s contract expires after the 2026 season. There are no shortage of candidates for the ace, such as the Chicago Cubs, who could target Skubal before the deadline (Aug. 3).

As much as it would sting to trade a homegrown talent they drafted nearly a decade ago, it’s far better than the alternative: watching him walk away as an unrestricted free agent.

“I just think with the way [the Tigers] have played, being six games under .500, they have no choice,” Bob Nightengale said about a potential Skubal trade during an appearance on Foul Territory. “I think they’ll try to thread the needle here. I still think the Dodgers are the No. 1 fit.”

Skubal gets likely last memory in Detroit

Despite the intense buzz surrounding his name and future in the league, Skubal didn’t miss the Tigers’ Wednesday game against the Baltimore Orioles. By starting it and being as consistent as ever, Skubal reached the 1,000-strikeout mark in his MLB career.

Skubal needed just one more strikeout to hit the milestone in front of his fans at Comerica Park, and he didn’t disappoint. In fact, he ended his afternoon with a total of six strikeouts.

The rumor mill played a role, however, and it was evident in the air in downtown Detroit. In more ways than one, the game felt like a farewell for the fan base that welcomed a young kid from California and treated him like one of their own.

Dodgers are after Skubal

Where Skubal will go next remains to be seen, but it feels like this may have been the last time fans saw him donning the Tigers’ uniform. There are few certainties regarding his next destination, but the Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be the frontrunners.

As reported by Jon Morosi, the Dodgers’ interest has only grown as concerns continue to mount over Shohei Ohtani’s ability to pitch moving forward. Eyeing an MLB three-peat—which hasn’t been achieved since the New York Yankees did it from 1998 to 2000—Los Angeles won’t take any chances on the mound, and there may be no better fit than California native Skubal.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Cubs prospect Pedro Ramirez should not be viewed as untouchable despite his impressive start in the majors. “He is not untouchable, nor should he be,” Passan wrote on Threads while responding to a fan’s suggestion that Ramirez should be off limits in trade discussions.

Ramirez has quickly become a fan favorite since his promotion to the big leagues, and his recent performances have only increased excitement around his future. That growing popularity, however, could make any potential trade involving the 22-year-old even more difficult for Chicago if Detroit insists on his inclusion.

Would the Cubs trade Pedro Ramirez for Tarik Skubal?

The Cubs are widely expected to pursue another frontline starter before the trade deadline, and Skubal represents one of the most impactful options on the market. While Chicago has also been linked to Reid Detmers in recent reports, acquiring the Tigers’ ace would almost certainly require the Cubs to part with multiple premium assets.

Ramirez’s value has continued to rise following his arrival in the majors. The young infielder has strengthened his case as part of the Cubs’ long-term core. Even so, Passan believes the organization should be willing to consider moving him if the return justifies the cost.

Why could Tarik Skubal force a difficult decision?

With rumors even linking Skubal to the Brewers in recent days, the ace has posted a 2.70 ERA across 15 starts while recording 110 strikeouts in 90 innings, and few pitchers would have a greater impact on the Cubs’ postseason aspirations than the left‑hander. He has established himself as one of baseball’s premier starters, making him one of the most coveted trade targets ahead of the deadline.

If the Tigers were to demand Ramirez as part of a potential package, Chicago would have to balance its long-term future against the opportunity to acquire an established ace capable of leading a playoff rotation. Whether the Cubs are willing to make that sacrifice could determine whether a deal ultimately comes together.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Brewers have the type of roster and farm system that could allow them to make an aggressive move for Skubal. “The Brewers recognize the opportunity this season presents. They haven’t won a World Series in their 58 years of existence, and they are in the midst of a season in which they’ve got the game’s most dominant pitcher in Jacob Misiorowski, a deep well of arms beyond him, a lineup with depth and good gloves aplenty.“

Skubal has continued to establish himself as an elite pitcher in 2026, posting a 2.70 ERA across 15 starts while recording 110 strikeouts in 90 innings. His performance has made him one of the most valuable trade targets for contenders searching for frontline rotation help.

Why could the Brewers target Tarik Skubal?

Milwaukee’s interest would come from its desire to add another frontline starter to a rotation already led by emerging ace Jacob Misiorowski. Pairing Skubal with Misiorowski would give the Brewers one of the most talented duos among postseason contenders.

Passan proposed a potential package centered around right-handed pitcher Logan Henderson, second baseman Josh Adamczewski, and infielder Ricki Moneys as a possible framework for a deal. However, acquiring a pitcher of Skubal’s caliber would likely require Milwaukee to sacrifice significant prospect value.

The Brewers have traditionally built through player development, but their current position in the standings could encourage the organization to take a more aggressive approach.

What would Tarik Skubal bring to the Brewers?

Skubal would provide Milwaukee with a proven top-of-the-rotation arm capable of changing the outlook of a playoff series. The left-hander has combined consistency, control, and strikeout ability throughout his career, entering 2026 with a 61-42 record, a 3.04 ERA, and 999 strikeouts over 856.2 innings.

For the Tigers, any decision involving Skubal would be one of the most important moves in recent franchise history. A trade could bring back multiple young players capable of helping Detroit build for the future.

As the deadline approaches, Skubal’s name is expected to remain one of the biggest storylines on the pitching market, with Milwaukee positioned as a team that could make a serious offer.

“I think we have a chance to win a World Series,“ Skubal told The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen on Thursday. “I’ve never been more motivated to try to win a World Series for this city, the team that drafted me in 2018 and helped develop me. That’s always been the goal, and that will never change unless I’m told I’m on a different team.”

The left-hander is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2026 season, making him one of the most coveted pitchers available if Detroit decides to entertain offers before the Aug. 3 deadline. However, the Tigers remain in the American League playoff race, adding another layer of uncertainty to his future.

Could the Yankees still pursue Tarik Skubal?

Although Skubal has publicly expressed his desire to remain in Detroit, rival clubs are expected to continue monitoring his situation. The Yankees have repeatedly been mentioned among the teams with the prospect capital to assemble a competitive trade package if the Tigers decide to move their ace.

According to reports, Detroit would seek a controllable starting pitcher along with multiple high-end prospects in return. The Yankees could potentially build such an offer around pitchers like Will Warren or Ryan Weathers, though New York’s priorities have reportedly shifted toward bullpen help and another right-handed bat.

Tigers remain in the playoff race

Detroit’s recent surge has complicated any decision regarding Skubal. Following Thursday’s victory over the Kansas City Royals, the Tigers improved to 27-16 since June 1 and remain within striking distance of both the AL Central lead and a Wild Card berth.

Skubal also acknowledged that he expects little communication from the front office regarding any potential trade discussions. “Those questions are not for me,“ he said. “I’ve been around it a couple times and players usually don’t know until about five minutes before everybody else does.”

Sparked by Pete Crow-Armstrong‘s leadoff triple, Chicago’s relentless offense knocked Framber Valdez out of the game before he could complete the opening frame. “We just did a wonderful job,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after the win according to MLB.com. “The team approach was really good tonight, offensively.”

The explosive start allowed newly acquired left-hander David Peterson to pitch with a comfortable cushion, while the Cubs continued their recent surge by collecting their fifth victory in seven games. Chicago consistently pressured Detroit with disciplined at-bats, timely hitting, and aggressive baserunning from the opening pitch.

Cubs’ patient approach overwhelms Framber Valdez

Chicago’s lineup executed their game plan perfectly against Valdez, forcing the Tigers’ starter to throw 42 pitches while facing 10 batters in the first inning. “Maybe we caught a couple breaks,“ Counsell said.

He also added, “But we made it hard on him and had really good at-bats. It was a move-the-line type of inning that we did a really good job on. If you get a starter like that out in the first inning, you collectively—and team-wide—had a really good approach.“

David Peterson and Pete Crow-Armstrong finish the job

Counsell also highlighted Crow-Armstrong’s impact beyond the leadoff triple. The center fielder capped another outstanding defensive performance with a spectacular running catch in the seventh inning that preserved Peterson’s scoreless outing.

“They’re just plays that nobody else is going to make,“ Counsell said of Crow-Armstrong’s defense. “Nobody else is making the plays. And you’re going to have to watch baseball a long time to find someone who’s going to make the plays. That’s how good it is.”