The Los Angeles Dodgers' approach to the MLB trade deadline is heavily influenced by the health of their pitching rotation, according to insider Ken Rosenthal. The team's willingness to pursue a trade for Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal hinges on how they assess the current and potential future health of their pitchers, including Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani recently experienced discomfort in his knee following a bullpen session, leading to the cancellation of a subsequent workout. While he is still expected to pitch again this season, and Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are working toward returns, this uncertainty raises concerns about the rotation's stability heading into the postseason. Relying on all injured pitchers to return healthy could jeopardize the Dodgers' championship aspirations.
Rosenthal noted that the Dodgers cannot dismiss the possibility of acquiring Skubal, who has emerged as one of baseball's premier starters. His combination of swing-and-miss stuff and command makes him a potential ace for a postseason rotation. The Dodgers possess the necessary prospect depth, including highly regarded outfield prospects and potentially controllable major-league pitchers like Emmet Sheehan, to make a significant offer.
However, acquiring Skubal would require a substantial return from the Tigers, likely involving multiple premium prospects and at least one player ready to contribute immediately. This steep price could ultimately deter the Dodgers, especially if their existing starters regain full health before the trade deadline. The team already has Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in their system, along with other starters expected to return from injury.
Despite these considerations, Ohtani's recent knee issue serves as a stark reminder of how quickly pitching plans can change. Rosenthal clarified that he was not reporting an imminent trade or a decision by Detroit to move Skubal, but rather emphasizing that the Dodgers have the resources, urgency, and championship window to explore such a move. Ultimately, the Dodgers may decide the cost is too high, but ignoring the possibility of acquiring one of the best available pitchers could be a greater risk.