After winning the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have not skipped a beat during the 2026 MLB season. Entering Monday night’s game against the Colorado Rockies, the Dodgers hold a 59-32 record, leading the National League and maintaining the top record in the Major Leagues.
Although Los Angeles boasts one of baseball’s deepest pitching staffs, the organization has continued to battle injuries to many of its key starters. Former All-Stars Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow have both missed significant time this season, forcing Los Angeles to rely on other members of their pitching staff, including 24-year-old right-hander Roki Sasaki.
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Due to the mounting injuries faced by the Dodgers’ rotation and an inconsistent season from Sasaki, the Dodgers are a team to watch in the starting pitcher trade market. In an article by Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, ESPN recently identified Los Angeles as a potential landing spot for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal ahead of the August 3 trade deadline.
In ESPN's latest ranking of the top 100 trade candidates, Skubal was listed as the No. 1 player potentially available if Detroit decides to sell. Los Angeles has the prospect capital to acquire the two-time Cy Young winner, but making this move could create another major decision regarding the future of Roki Sasaki.
While Sasaki has endured an up-and-down 2026 season so far, he remains one of the most talented young pitchers in all of baseball. Through 15 starts in this challenging season, Sasaki has posted a 3-5 record with a 5.40 ERA, a 1.4 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts across 75 innings.
If the Dodgers were to acquire a frontline starter such as Skubal, Los Angeles could elect to keep Sasaki in the starting rotation, move him into a bullpen role, or option him to Triple-A. A move to the bullpen would not be unprecedented, as Sasaki pitched exclusively in relief during the 2025 postseason, where he posted a 0.84 ERA and recorded three saves en route to winning the World Series.
Whether the Dodgers ultimately pursue Skubal remains to be seen. However, if they succeed in landing the Tigers' ace, the club will have a decision to make regarding the best path forward for one of its most intriguing young players.
