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The Los Angeles Dodgers were already linked to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal before the team needed starting rotation help.
Now, with the uncertainty surrounding Shohei Ohtani, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say the back-to-back World Series champions could use another arm.
Why not get the greatest pitcher in the world?
The Dodgers are one of few teams who have the trade capital to strike a deal with Detroit. The Tigers are reportedly seeking a controllable starter as part of any return package for Skubal in addition to quality prospects.
Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan has been listed as a potential fit to headline the package, per MLB insider Ken Rosenthal. The Dodgers have four more years of control over the right-hander. Sheehan won’t become a free agent until 2030, which is exactly the type of pitcher the Tigers are looking to land.
The Tigers are reportedly seeking a controllable starting pitcher as part of any Tarik Skubal trade, plus quality prospects, per @Ken_Rosenthal. 👀
Emmet Sheehan was listed as a potential fit. pic.twitter.com/Nl9HoKNVvY
Sheehan is sporting a 5.13 ERA with 99 strikeouts across 87.2 innings pitched this season. He’s gone 4-7 in 18 starts.
The Dodgers have kept the right-hander in the rotation despite his struggles as the unit has battled injuries throughout the year. Reinforcements are expected to rejoin the rotation in the coming weeks with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow on the mend.
Manager Dave Roberts’ latest comments on Ohtani’s knee injury don’t bode well for the starting rotation, which could propel the front office to trade for Skubal before the Aug. 3 deadline.
Sheehan spent the 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, but returned to the Dodgers in 2025. The 26-year-old ended his first campaign from the procedure with a 2.82 ERA across 73.1 innings of work.
It marked a strong season for Sheehan and it helped him cement a spot in the Opening Day rotation this year. But the Dodgers can’t wait for the right-hander to turn things around much longer.
Perhaps, a trade would be beneficial for both sides as the Dodgers would slot Skubal into the rotation and a change of scenery for Sheehan could be good for the right-hander.
While that would be an ideal transaction for Dodgers fans, Roberts said the team will likely be sellers rather than buyers this summer.
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