Tarik Skubal and the Dodgers: Could Detroit’s Star Pitcher Anchor LA’s Rotation in 2026?

Is there still a realistic chance that Tarik Skubal will start Opening Day in 2026 with the Detroit Tigers? Technically, yes, but the odds of him remaining in Motown appear slim, as both financial and roster circumstances increasingly point toward a blockbuster trade this offseason.

The reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young winner is entering a contract year, and negotiations with the Tigers have already made history due to the unprecedented $13 million salary arbitration spread, signaling deep misalignment between player and team on his market value.

“Two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal filed for $32 million this year while the Detroit Tigers countered at $19 million, sources tell ESPN,” reported Jeff Passan, adding that this gap represents the largest in arbitration history and sets the stage for a dramatic hearing in February.

For a team in the small-market Detroit environment, offering $19 million to a pitcher widely regarded as the best in the sport feels almost absurd, underscoring how out of sync the Tigers are with league standards and Skubal’s proven dominance over the past two seasons.

Skubal has led the league in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and ERA in back-to-back campaigns, showcasing not only durability and consistency but also the elite skill set that makes him a true ace-caliber starter and one of the most coveted pitchers in Major League Baseball.

At 29 years old, Skubal sits at the prime of his career, with command, velocity, and pitch arsenal mastery that would allow him to anchor any rotation, making him an obvious target for teams with championship aspirations, particularly those in large markets capable of absorbing his salary.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, with their quiet offseason so far, seem perfectly positioned to make a move, given their history of bold trades and high-profile free agent acquisitions, coupled with a willingness to assemble a roster designed to compete for both the pennant and a World Series three-peat.

Trade rumors connecting Skubal to the Dodgers have already circulated this winter, indicating that Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers front office are actively evaluating options to add an elite starter to a rotation already featuring Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Roki Sasaki.

Other free-agent pitchers remain on the market, including Framber Valdez, Zac Gallen, and Ranger Suarez, but the combination of Skubal’s current arbitration conflict and his proven dominance makes acquiring him via trade arguably the more strategic, high-reward approach for a team of Los Angeles’ caliber.

If the Dodgers act decisively, Skubal could slot immediately as the ace of a rotation that already boasts depth and versatility, giving LA an arguably unmatched starting staff in modern MLB history, capable of overwhelming opposing lineups in both the regular season and postseason.

The potential addition of Skubal also aligns with the Dodgers’ win-now philosophy, complementing an offensive core featuring Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and the unparalleled two-way threat of Shohei Ohtani, forming a roster that could be historically dominant if all elements align in 2026.

Detroit has not explicitly declared that Skubal is available, but Tigers president Scott Harris noted in December that no player on the roster is “untouchable” when it comes to trade discussions, leaving the door open for negotiations with interested clubs, particularly those capable of offering both MLB-ready talent and top prospects.

Given the massive $13 million arbitration gap and the reality that Skubal represents one of the most valuable trade assets in baseball, the timing could not be better for a Dodgers-Tigers deal, as LA can leverage its prospect pipeline and financial flexibility to pursue the premier starter on the market.

If acquired, Skubal would join a rotation where innings and high-leverage starts are already optimized for postseason success, potentially giving the Dodgers a rotation that could rival the all-time greats in both depth and elite-level dominance across multiple series.

While salary considerations are a factor, Los Angeles has historically been unafraid of taking on substantial financial commitments for elite talent, and a trade for Skubal would continue that tradition, adding both a marketable star and a cornerstone for the rotation for years to come.

The arbitration standoff also sends a subtle message that the Tigers may prefer moving Skubal rather than risk ongoing contract friction, potentially opening the door for multiple teams to submit competitive offers, though few have the combination of prospects, MLB-ready talent, and financial capacity that the Dodgers possess.

For Los Angeles, the timing is critical: acting early allows them to shape the offseason and rotation proactively rather than waiting until free agency winds down, when elite pitchers are more limited and trade leverage may shift in favor of sellers like Detroit.

Skubal’s acquisition would also free the Dodgers to explore additional bullpen or lineup moves, potentially creating a more balanced and flexible roster, while simultaneously sending a clear message to the league that LA is committed to assembling a historically dominant team capable of contending for multiple championships.

In short, while Skubal starting Opening Day with the Tigers remains a technical possibility, the combination of his contract year, the unprecedented arbitration spread, and the Dodgers’ clear willingness to pursue elite pitching makes a trade not only plausible but highly likely, cementing him as a centerpiece of discussions leading into the 2026 season.

The next few weeks will be critical for both franchises, as detailing the right return package—likely involving high-end prospects and MLB-ready talent—could determine whether Detroit maximizes its asset, while Los Angeles strengthens its bid for a potential three-peat with the best starting pitcher in baseball anchoring the rotation.