If the Detroit Tigers are truly contemplating trading Tarik Skubal this offseason, a left-handed ace with age, control, and performance all on his side, the return would need to be seismic. And not just in theory. It would have to be a real, tangible value that signals Detroit is not rebuilding, but retooling with force, and lurking in the shadows to snatch him up are the Dodgers
Glasnow’s Talent Isn’t in Question – But His Durability Is
That’s where the Los Angeles Dodgers come in. According to reports, the Dodgers are not opposed to moving Tyler Glasnow, which, in itself, is a headline. Glasnow, still just 32, was the high-upside, high-risk acquisition from the Tampa Bay Rays just a year ago. His electric stuff has never been in question. His health? That’s another story.
Let’s pause there. In what world do the Dodgers, who just landed Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and are perennially pushing for World Series dominance, consider trading one of their marquee starters? In this world, one where contracts matter and production per dollar is under a microscope. Glasnow’s deal runs through 2027 and could potentially carry into 2028 depending on which way his option breaks. At a minimum, he’s owed $60 million over the next two years, with possible escalations. For a pitcher who made only 18 starts last year, that’s a financial pinch even the Dodgers might flinch at.
Skubal’s Rising Stock Makes Him One of the League’s Most Valuable Arms
And here’s the twist: when Glasnow is on the mound, he’s elite. A 3.19 ERA and 106 strikeouts in just over 90 innings last year prove the upside is still there. But in baseball, the greatest ability is often availability, and Skubal, by contrast, just finished a breakout campaign looking every bit the front-line starter. Younger, healthier, and under team control longer, Skubal’s value may have quietly eclipsed Glasnow’s despite the latter’s name recognition.
A One-for-One Deal Won’t Get This Done – And the Dodgers Know It
So would the Dodgers dangle Glasnow? Perhaps. But he alone won’t be enough to pry Skubal loose from Detroit’s grip. This isn’t a one-for-one scenario. This is the kind of deal that would need layers, prospects, controllable talent, maybe even cash, to work.
For Detroit, this would signal a shift. Trading Skubal now, at peak value, is not a teardown; it’s a bold pivot. But unless the Dodgers are willing to overpay for that pivot, it’s a conversation that may never leave the table.
