Dodgers rotation uncertainty keeps Tarik Skubal trade in play, says insider

The Los Angeles Dodgers may already possess one of baseball’s deepest rosters, but Ken Rosenthal believes their rotation uncertainty makes a pursuit of Tarik Skubal impossible to dismiss.

With the MLB trade deadline approaching, Rosenthal pointed to the health of Shohei Ohtani and several other Dodgers pitchers as the biggest factor shaping the front office’s plans.

“So much depends on how they review the health of their rotation,” Rosenthal said. “Dave Roberts said that Shohei Ohtani experienced discomfort in his knee following his last bullpen session on Wednesday. That led to the cancellation of his bullpen session today.”

Ohtani is still expected to pitch again this season, while Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are also working toward returns. The Dodgers could eventually enter October with more than enough starting pitching.

Counting on every injured arm to return healthy, however, could derail the teams lofty goal of winning its third World Series in a row.

That is where Skubal becomes difficult to overlook.

“They know one way or another, greater payroll restrictions are coming in the next CBA,” Rosenthal said. “They cannot simply ignore the possibility of adding Tarik Skubal.”

Skubal would represent much more than insurance. The Detroit Tigers much more than insurance left-hander has established himself as one of the sport’s premier starters, combining swing-and-miss stuff with the command required to lead a postseason rotation.

The Dodgers also possess the prospect depth to make a serious offer. Rosenthal noted that Los Angeles has several highly regarded outfield prospects and could potentially include a controllable major-league pitcher such as Emmet Sheehan in negotiations.

Detroit would demand a massive return, particularly because Skubal is not merely a short-term rental. Any package would likely require multiple premium prospects and at least one player capable of helping the Tigers immediately.

That price could ultimately prevent a deal.

Los Angeles already has Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki and several injured starters expected to return. Emptying a significant portion of its farm system for another pitcher may appear excessive if the rotation gets healthy before the postseason.

The Dodgers cannot assume that will happen, though. Ohtani’s latest discomfort is another reminder of how quickly pitching plans can change.

Rosenthal was not reporting that a trade is close or that Detroit has decided to move Skubal. His point was that the Dodgers have the resources, urgency and championship window to explore the possibility.

Los Angeles may eventually decide the price is unreasonable.

Ignoring the best pitcher who could become available would be the greater risk.