As of 06/08/2026 – 8 weeks until the trade deadline.
You know…it is way, way, way, way too early to be discussing deadline trades. Right now there are just a handful of teams that would be considered as sure sellers: Rockies, Angels, and probably Giants. The Tigers and Royals are only 5.5 games out of the WC in the AL (and in a weak division) and the Mets are only 5.0 games out of the WC in the NL. Every other team is within 5.0 games.
None of those three teams will be trading with LAD. I am not sure the Rockies have anyone that AF/BG would be interested in. Maybe Kyle Karros, but there is ZERO reason for Colorado to trade him.
Detroit says that Tarik Skubal is off limits right now. They believe they can get back in the race if Skubal is healthy.
“Rival executives believe that Skubal will need to make at least three starts to convince teams he’s healthy. Perhaps even more important, the Tigers also have to convince themselves they have no chance to get back in the playoff race before moving him,” Bob Nightengale wrote.
Some are speculating the payroll is a impediment to trading for Skubal by some teams.
Payrolls are allocated ratably over the “Championship Season”. For 2026, that is March 26 through September 27 or 186 days. So whoever acquires Tarik Skubal is responsible for day of trade through September 27. The trade deadline day for 2026, is Monday, August 3. There is no reason for Detroit to trade Skubal before August 3. That would be 56 days or 30.108% of the remainder of the MLB season. Skubal’s 2026 salary is $32MM. If traded on August 3, the acquiring team would assume 30.108% of the contract or $9.63MM. What MLB franchise cannot afford that? If they cannot, they need to sell the team. They may choose not to, but they can afford to.
There are those who say the Dodgers do not need Skubal. First, needing and wanting are two different scenarios. Did the Dodgers need Kyle Tucker at $60MM/year for 4 years? They apparently wanted him.
Some argue that the Dodgers should not use their top OF prospects for a trade for a rental. I am guessing for some, it would be better to keep De Paula, Sirota, Quintero, Hope, and Tibbs III onto the Ryan Ward path rather than trying to improve the team in a trade. The last time I looked, there was only three OF in the lineup. Four of the five are AAA or AA and playing well. That makes them MLB Ready. With Ohtani as the DH, there is even less of a need for a OF/DH.
Andy Pages was a Super 2 player so he will have 4 years of arbitration beginning with year 1 in 2027, making him a free agent in 2031. I can see the Dodgers buying Pages out of his 4 years of arbitration and 2-3 years of free agency. The Dodgers do have potential CF talent, but Pages is going to be an All Star at 25. Pages would be my CF for the long haul.
I said it at the signing and I continue to say it. I am okay with Tucker being a Dodger, just not at $60MM a year for 4 years. That is 7.5 fWAR for the next four years (counting 2026). Tucker has never been a 5.0 fWAR player much less a 7.5 fWAR player. He is at 0.8 fWAR ($6.3MM value) thus far in 2026. Tucker is not a super marketable player that the team can get value from endorsements or partnerships with Japanese Corporations. His contract is so onerous that he will be with LAD for three more years.
Teoscar Hernández. He has one more year on his contract (plus an option year). Maybe the Dodgers trade him, maybe they do not. If the Dodgers have to pare their payroll next year, so will other teams. How many teams are going to want take on $23,421,526 payroll. That is $16,921,526 in salary and $6.5MM buyout of his 2028 option. Who wants to absorb that cost?
So, unless the Dodgers want a $23MM bench role player, the OF prospects are going to have to wait another year. Even so, that is ONE potential OF with FIVE candidates. What is going to happen to the other four…and with Kendall George and Zach Ehrhard as potential 4th OF.
Maybe fans are happy to have the best farm system rather than moving some for that difference maker. And yes, Tarik Skubal is a difference. That being said, I would not want to trade De Paula or Sirota. Because Quintero is a year or two behind the other four, he would also be closer to untouchable. So Jeff Passan’s package of RHSP Emmet Sheehan, OF Zyhir Hope, and SS Aidan West might be acceptable. Each of them have excellent replacements, including Sheehan (River Ryan and Gavin Stone).
Milwaukee can certainly put together a competitive package of prospects (better than LAD if they so choose). Braves could put a formidable package together. Better than Sheehan/Hope/West?
Dbacks? They have shown a willingness to spend $$$, but they have a bottom third tier of prospects. They have 1 top 100 prospect in OF Ryan Waldschmidt (#59), and he is currently playing with the Dbacks and doing just fine.
Dodgerdad mentioned he would be interested in trading for Joe Ryan. The Dodgers could have more of an opportunity to acquire Skubal than Ryan. Ryan is controlled through next year and will be arb eligible one more year. He is pulling down $6.2MM this year. Every contending team will be looking at Joe Ryan, so the prospect capital will be high, and could be higher than Skubal.
Two Minnesota top 100 prospects are OF, minimizing the need for another OF prospect. They are going to want pitching in return.
AF/BG will swim in the deep water with Skubal trade talks, but IMO they will climb the ladder out of the pool at the end. Sure San Diego or Milwaukee or Chicago Cubs or Tampa Bay could make a trade. Skubal will be owed around $10MM at August 1. Every one of those teams can afford that. Milwaukee (7) and Tampa Bay (6) have the most Top 100 prospects in their organization, and would be in position to make such a trade. This would be contrary to how both teams make trades, but the chance at a WS may change their minds. San Diego has 1 Top 100 prospect, C Ethan Salas, so they are going to have to overwhelm Detroit with quantity prospects, which they have done. Detroit will probably require at least one MLB SP and one MLB ready SP to pique their interest.
Looking back at the deadline trades for pitchers by LAD, I cannot find one that had multiple years of team control. If I forgot one, I am sure someone is going to remind me.
- Rich Hill (2016) – with Josh Reddick for Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes and Frankie Montas.
- Yu Darvish (2017) – for A.J. Alexy, Willie Calhoun and Brendon Davis.
- Max Scherzer (2021) – with Trea Turner for Gerardo Carrillo (minors), Donovan Casey (minors), Josiah Gray and Keibert Ruiz.
- Lance Lynn (2023) – with Joe Kelly for Jordan Leasure, Nick Nastrini and Trayce Thompson.
- Also in on Eduardo Rodriguez (Lynn was afterthought to ERod)
- Jack Flaherty (2024) – for Thayron Liranzo (minors) and Trey Sweeney.
AF also most often chooses not to re-sign any of the rentals. Well, except for Dick Mountain, and did work out. It also shows that AF is not going to overpay for a rental.
AF prefers rental pitchers. He does not seem interested in trading for pitchers with multiple years of control.
IMO, NYM’s Freddy Peralta is a more likely choice for LAD as rotation depth.
- Freddy Peralta is expected to seek a contract similar to Max Fried’s eight-year, $218 million deal
- Teams unwilling to meet that contract ask might be reluctant to trade for him
Before he got hurt, I thought Kris Bubic was a good candidate. He is currently on the IL with elbow soreness. He has started his throwing program. All interested teams will monitor his rehab.
Sandy Alcantara?
One name that might be of interest (probably not), and the cost will not be high in any way, is Baltimore’s LHSP Trevor Rogers. Don’t look at this year, look at what he did last year. Could the Dodgers pitching gurus “fix” him as well? Probably too much of a risk for a rental this year Maybe as a FA next Winter.
Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha do not check the rental box.
LHSP Eric Lauer is not special. But he is a competent #6 starter. Will probably not make the October playoff roster, but he might help the team get there.
Roki Sasaki has already proven he can be a legit late inning high leverage reliever in the playoffs. River Ryan and Emmet Sheehan are wild cards here. Both are capable. They have 4 months to prove they can be counted on for October. Gavin Stone will be ready for ST in 2027.
Bottom line, as a commoner, I have no clue what the Dodgers will do. Tarik Skubal does not guarantee a 3-peat, but it sure does enhance their chances. If the cost is not too much, I am okay with a trade for him. If they do not trade for him, I am okay with that. As of today, I would be okay if the Dodgers did not make any trade.
ROOKIE LEAGUE GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
ACL Dodgers 9 – ACL Brewers 5
RHSP Jose Taveras allowed a triple and single in the 1st inning giving the Brewers a 1-0 lead. Taveras pitched a total of 3.0 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits, 3 BB, and 6 K.
In the 2nd inning Dodgers scored 3. 2B Reyli Mariano drew a BB with one out. C Eduardo Rojas was HBP. Mariano scored a run with a throwing error after a ground out. LH Jose Gonzalez and CF Jhon Gil walked. Rojas scored on a WP and Gonzalez scored on another error.
RHP Josehp Marte allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, 1 BB and 1 K in the 4th inning.
The Dodgers scored solo run in the 5th and 6th. In the 5th, PH Oswaldo Osorio doubled (2) and scored after 3 walks. Gonzalez homered (1) in the 6th.
LHP Peter Bonilla kept the Brewers of the board in those innings. No hits, 2 BB, and 4 K.
In the 7th, Mariano singled and stole 2nd, and moved to 3rd on a balk. Rojas and RF Able Lorenzo each singled with Mariano scoring on Rojas’ single. Rojas later scored before Gonzalez was tagged out on a pickoff and failed SB attempt.
LHRP Michael Ramirez struck out the side in the 7th, allowing a single and no runs. In the 8th, Ramirez loaded the bases with a single and 2 BB. He got two outs, and had the batter at 1-2, but uncorked a WP allowing 1 run to score before getting the batter to fly out.
The Dodgers scored a pair in the 9th without the benefit of a hit. One batter reached on an error, 3 walks, and a sac fly plated 2 (1 earned).
RHSP Jose Vasquez pitched a scoreless 9th to close out the game.
- Oswaldo Osorio – 2-4, 1 run, double (2)
- Jose Gonzalez – 1-3, 2 BB, 2 runs, 2 RBI, HR (1)
DSL Padres Gold 18 – DSL LAD Mega 5
There was actually a LAD Mega pitcher who will get a mention. 19 year old RHP Ivan Pacheco. He pitched 1.0 scoreless inning, no hits, walking 2, 1 K. That was Pacheco’s 3rd game (out of 5) and 2.2 IP. He has not allowed a run or hit. He has walked 5 and struck out 2.
Down 13-1 in the 6th LAD Mega scored 4. SS Jose Victorino doubled (1),. 1B Jesus Villaflor singled. With runners on 1st and 3rd, C Ezequiel Aparicio hit his 1st HR. LF Erny Orellana reached on an error, and scored on a 2-out double (1) by 3B Luis Tovar.
- Luis Tovar – 3-5, 1 RBI, double (1)
- Jesus Villaflor – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 runs, triple (1)
- Ezequiel Aparicio – 1-2, 1 BB, 1 run, 3 RBI, HR (1)
- Doubles – Erny Orellana (1) and Jose Victorino (1)
DSL Rojos 21 – DSL LAD Bautista 4
I am starting to get the opinion that the LAD DSL pitching is not very good.
- RF Jeibert Rondon – 2-4, 1 BB
- C Moises Rangel – 2-2
- 3B Adrian Del Cid – 2-3, 1 BB
- Doubles: 2B Ariel Reynoso (1) and SS Ezequiel Melburne (1)
Excellent report, Jeff.
Another big mid-season trade was for Manny Machado.
Off the top of my head, the Dodgers gave up SP Dean Kremer, who is still in the mix with the Orioles, and 4 others who didn’t pan out as big leaguers. (Please correct me if I’m wrong.)
I loved the trade at the time. Loved Machado’s game…. but then he turned out to be something of a jerk. Now he’s another reason to root against the Pads.
Of all the midseason deals, the one for Scherzer PLUS Trea Turner was the most stunning to me, especially because Turner had the extra year. We knew Scherzer was a target… but Turner too?!?
While AF is on the record as hating the cost of mid-season trades, they make a lot of sense to me because the team should know precisely what it needs down the home stretch. The wintertime transactions (cough, Conforto, cough, Scott) don’t necessarily work out–and they aren’t exactly bargains.
Consider :Last season, with Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen struggling, the Dodgers needed a closer. To my dismay, Mason Miller, the best in the game, went to the arch-rival Padres.
Some here claim that there was absolutely no way the Dodgers could have landed him, but I disagree. The Pads gave up a top SS prospect; what if the Dodgers offered two top prospects plus a 100-mph RP like Henriquez to take Miller’s spot? Would that have been crazier than $240 million for Kyle Tucker?
Oh well. Water over the dam, or under the bridge, or whatever. For a bullpen consolation prize, AF flipped Outman for Brock Stewart. Not exactly a needle-mover–and then Stewart got hurt anyway.
As things turned out, however, the once-disappointing Roki Sasaki stepped up when the Dodgers needed him most. Seriously, Roki may have saved the season.
Now we’re hoping that Edwin Diaz, a pricy acquisition who isn’t as good as Mason Miller, will come back healthy, and maybe Evan Phillips too. The bullpen may be strong.
But if a talent like Skubal comes to the market, do you just ignore it?
If we get Skubal at the Aug deadline, we get maybe a dozen starts,at most, over the season and postseason. The loss of prospects are not worth it when you consider that the prospects you would bring up should get us at least half of the wins Skubal would give us. This is also depending on if LA signs him to a long term contract which is a hell of a risk with any pitcher. My guess is that AF stands pat, saves the money, watches the cream float to the top and promotes a few stud pitchers and converts a few OF prospects to 3B, 2B and 1B to fill the infield losses we will have due to Father Time.
Good points, but…
The Dodgers should have a lock on the West with or without Skubal. His primary purpose would be in the playoffs–to help the Dodgers win a third straight World Series. AF may survey the competitive landscape and reason that it’s better to have Skubal pitching for the Dodgers than against the Dodgers.
Not saying that Skubal-to-the-Dodgers will or should happen. Just that it could.
Now, would the Dodgers spend $$$ to extend Skubal?
Hard to say, but AF isn’t averse to writing big checks. Skubal, with a pair of Cys, ranks as one of the top 2 or 3 pitchers in baseball. Certainly top five, I think. Is Tucker a top five hitter? Nope. (Right now he may not be top five on the Dodgers.) And yet the Dodgers decided to pay Tucker $60 mill per year for four years.
You’d think there might be some financial limit…. some sort of fiscal sanity….eventually.
A long-term contract for a pitcher is a risk–but the Dodgers management already gave long-term deals to Yamamoto, Shohei, Snell and Glasnow. They also gave a fat 3-year deal to Trevor Bauer. (Doh!)
My guess is that it won’t happen, and there’ll be high drama if the Dodgers face him in the playoffs.
IF the Dodgers acquire Skubal,who does he replace in the October tournament rotation IF either Glasnow OR Snell come back healthy?.If Sasaki continues improve,where does he fit in? What about Wrobo,Ryan and Stone? I am Not even considering Sheehan. Think seriously about this ,Skubal is NOT needed to win the NL West, so IF the Dodgers get eliminated in the playoffs in one series or another,and Skubal pitches two or three games,you’ve given up controllable prospects for two or three starts for Skubal,with NO qualifying offer because he was traded in midseason. The Playoffs are a crapshoot,but our starting pitching come October could be the Best in baseball and I’m ready to go to war with them,Without Skubal.
In looking at the Padres box this morning I can’t help but wonder how that team might finish. While the Dodgers only have one starter that is flapping offensively the Padres have four. If Merrill, Machado, Tatis and Bogaerts should wake up in the second half, they would contend. Especially if they added pitching. And I believe they will.
I too suggested looking into Joe Ryan. Minnesota isn’t likely to contend. There are 6 teams ahead of them in Wild Card race. Ryan is under control through ‘27, so that could be a factor. I do like the Rogers and Alcantara ideas. And you’re right. It’s early. A lot can happen in 8 weeks.
The Padres will continue to fade. Who is Prelier going to trade for with a depleted farm system and a Shitty roster? The Dodgers win the NL West going away. Bet it!
I don’t bet. And I’ve said many times the Dodgers will win the West with a week to spare. The point being made is even with 4 starters hitting way below their career averages the Padres are still in contention for a Wild Card.
I think you are underestimating Preller. He will absolutely be in contention for Skubal, or any other starter that may be available. He also may be looking for a bat by the end of July. Things are happening in San Diego. I wouldn’t count them out.
Trade deadline this year is August 3rd. I do not believe LA will make a major trade. If they do, it will be something none of us has discussed. That is the way Andrew works. Padres and D-Backs both tied with 34-31 records, 7.5 games back. Badger, Padres have Machado, Merrill, Cronenworth, who is expected back soon, Bogaerts and their starting catcher, Fermin, all down around .200 or lower. Machado, Fermin, Cronenworth and Merrill now are all under .200. They had 3 guys in the lineup last night hitting .260 or better, Tatis .269, France .266 and Taylor, who was just called up .375.
Google has refreshed my memory.
From Ken Gurnick’s report at the time:
After a Wednesday delay necessitated by physical exams, trading for Machado cost the Dodgers only one of their top prospects: Cuban outfielder Yusniel Diaz. In addition, the Orioles received right-handed pitchers Dean Kremer and Zach Pop, third baseman Rylan Bannon and infielder Breyvic Valera. Diaz is the club’s No. 4 prospect and No. 84 in MLB, according to MLB Pipeline. Kremer is No. 27 and Bannon No. 28 in the organization.
Baltimore hopes the deal can be transformative, offering both quality and depth to a system in need of both.
The 21-year-old Diaz is the centerpiece for the O’s, and the Dodgers spent $31 million in bonus and taxes to sign him out of Cuba. Two homers in Sunday’s SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game showed that his one lagging tool, power, is not so lagging.
So Diaz was a “top prospect,” ranked 4 in the Dodgers org. Diaz made enough progress in the minors with the O’s to get a cup of coffee in The Show. He didn’t stick, later be bounced back to the Dodgers as a minor league free agent. Now, at 29, Diaz is playing in the Mexican League.
Just one anecdote, but it’s a reminder that prospects are indeed suspects until they prove otherwise. I’m struck by how many top prospects and picks (like Maddux Bruns) turn out to be busts while late-round grinders like McKinstry and Mike Freaking Piazza turn out great. The prospect rankings are a lot of fun but highly subjective–more art than science. These trades can be a real crap shoot. Trading a few suspects for a PROVEN major leaguer makes sense to me. In the Machado deal, Diaz was supposedly the big “get” but Kremer turned out to be a rotation stalwart.
Seems that the LADT consensus is that De Paula and Sirota are untouchables, but I’d probably lead with Emil Morales given the surplus of OF talent. Nice to see Chase Harlan stepping up–but I think Morales has the edge on defense.
Geez, there is a lot of talent in the organization…. And the roster is so good it’s hard to come up with plausible deals that would improve it.
I believe that the Dodgers may not make a big trade… or that they may make a big trade or two.
Indecision may or may not be part of my problem!
It’s good to see you feel strongly both ways.
I believe if the right ace becomes available, AF will let it rip.
Skubal. Peralta. Alcantara. Joe Ryan.
There’s speculation that all could be on the market if their teams fade.
Again, the Dodgers don’t NEED a starter. But injuries happen and they might want to add one–and keep Skubal away from a rival.
If several good frontline starters are on the market, the cost should come down.
Houston Mitchell had this:
The Dodgers have not played an extra-innings game this season.
Anthony Banda, Twins: 1-0, 4.94 ERA, 27 1/3 IP, 23 hits, 12 walks, 26 K’s, 89 ERA+
Cody Bellinger, Yankees: .273/.373/.476, 271 PA’s, 13 doubles, 3 triples, 9 homers, 41 RBIs, 137 OPS+
Walker Buehler, Padres: 3-3, 4.53 ERA, 57 2/3 IP, 54 hits, 20 walks, 49 K’s, 90 ERA+
Mike Busch, Cubs: .246/.369/.390, 287 PA’s, 12 doubles, 2 triples, 6 homers, 36 RBIs, 122 OPS+
Michael Conforto, Cubs: .240/.356/.489, 104 PA’s, 9 doubles, 4 homers, 13 RBIs, 143 OPS+
Justin Dean, Cubs: in the minors
Caleb Ferguson, Reds: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 7 1/3 IP, 3 hits, 1 walk, 8 K’s
Jack Flaherty, Tigers: 1-7, 5.31 ERA, 62 2/3 IP, 66 hits, 33 walks, 77 K’s, 80 ERA+
Kenley Jansen, Tigers: 1-3, 4.80 ERA, 7 saves, 15 IP, 9 hits, 9 walks, 19 K’s, 90 ERA+, on the IL
Craig Kimbrel, Rays: 0-2, 5.63 ERA, 16 IP, 17 hits, 6 walks, 17 K’s, 75 ERA+, on the IL
Gavin Lux, Rays: on the IL
Dustin May, Cardinals: 3-6, 4.59 ERA, 66 2/3 IP, 67 hits, 19 walks, 60 K’s, 88 ERA+
Zach McKinstry, Tigers: .165/.254/.215, 140 PA’s, 3 doubles, 1 homer, 9 RBIs, 33 OPS+
James Outman, Twins: .156/.229/.250, 70 PA’s, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 3 RBIs, 34 OPS+, designated for assignment
Joc Pederson, Rangers: .238/.347/.439, 197 PA’s, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 8 homers, 23 RBIs, 131 OPS+
Luke Raley, Mariners: .259/.319/.535, 187 PA’s, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 13 homers, 31 RBIs, 142 OPS+
Ben Rortvedt, Mets: in the minors
Corey Seager, Rangers: .183/.284/.366, 190 PA’s, 6 doubles, 8 homers, 22 RBIs, 91 OPS+
Justin Turner, Tijuana (Mexican League): .290/.405/.496, 158 PA’s, 12 doubles, 5 homers, 22 RBIs
Trea Turner, Phillies: .229/.280/.347, 282 PA’s, 10 doubles, 7 homers, 21 RBIs, 72 OPS+
Miguel Vargas, White Sox: .242/.370/.489, 282 PA’s, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 15 homers, 41 RBIs, 140 OPS+
Kirby Yates, Angels: 0-2, 4.82 ERA, 9 1/3 IP, 8 hits, 4 walks, 12 K’s, 90 ERA+
I kind of love the fact that JT is playing for TJ.
The competitive fire still burns. Does he speak Spanish? It would certainly help in his future role as a coach and manager….
How ’bout that Luke Raley!
And Belli is outplaying Tucker at about half the cost. But he does seem to fit Yankee Stadium well.
Some those alumni stats are just shockingly bad.
Bright shiny stars! Skubal, Ryan, Pena,etc. As I have said before, the Dodgers don’t need Skubal. They don’t need Ryan. They don’t need Pena. It all comes down to if AF wants any of them. I have also stated I like Ryan. Health wise I would prefer him over Skubal. Pitching is not an issue (we cross our fingers!). Pena is intriguing! Would Houston consider trading with the Dodgers? Maybe, maybe not. Altuve and Correa are all that’s left from the CHEATING STROS, so as someone else pointed out, no need to not trade with them if it makes sense for the Dodgers. As I also mentioned, I’m more concerned about the offense than the pitching. Muncy’s lack of run production. Will Tucker come around? Will Mookie break through? Will second base get production? Will Pages fall into another prolonged slump? Pena could add a spark to a somewhat dismal offense at times. Maybe he would play second base for the rest of this season allowing Mookie to make the transition back to second base next season. All speculation but very interesting ! The rumors are just that, rumors.
Tonight the Pirates will send Skeenes to the mound against the Dodgers. Pitching matchup looks a little one sided doesn’t it? The Dodgers seem to come alive against the best pitching. Lauer doesn’t have to match him pitch for pitch, just keep it close for 5-6 innings. The Dodgers have been known to work on the opposition’s pitch count , so maybe they get Skeenes out by the 6th inning. 2 out 3 would be just fine!
Jeff, so glad you came to this site! Great minor league info, plus great insight on the team. With you, Ole Bear, and the great and powerful oz, (Mark), we’ve got the best dodgers coverage possible. Really look forward to reading this site when I wake up each day! Anyone heard from Bradley ? Wild trade ideas, but so entertaining!
I agree, Bradley, come back!
To help relieve the OF prospect logjam, perhaps the team should work on transitioning the best of the bunch to corner infield positions a la Davey Lopes and Bill Russell?
Jeff I enjoy your “spitballing” of trade deadline options. Fun to try to map out options and needs. I will continue my trust of AF et all. If they pull the trigger I figure they have a good plan. If not, so be it. I see Y Alvarez is near the top of a triple crown in the AL. That has to be ouchy for those guys! Measure thrice cut once!
A lot of good stuff on here. Thank you gentlemen.
1. When I nudged Mark to ask AF if the playoffs were a crapshoot, Andrew said no. The definition of crapshoot is roll the dice. Oct. is definitely not that.
2. Jeff, I love how you don’t second guess or use hindsight in your articles. Refreshing.
3. I’m going to use my ESPN…I mean esp, and suggest that the trade deadline will only produce a reliever.
4. The FO will not go the Ward path. They trade guys on the farm but when the 26 is loaded, getting called up is a lot harder.
5. Oh and Timmons…..your wit and humor is ‘rare’ for a Dodger fan. ‘Well done’
Book em
Hey don’t beat up Bauer, that’s his expertise! Sorry Duke, I had to throw that in.
Seriously, money and prospects aside, having Skubal for the playoffs would be awesome to me. As far as Tucker goes, he is a average or better hitter with power and fits the outfield plan for a few more years. Ain’t my money
It is if you go to Dodger Stadium to watch a game!
Looking ahead, It will be interesting today against the best pitcher in baseball the last couple of seasons. And a horse at 6’6″ and a modest 260.
Paul Skenes has had 4 very pedestrian games in a row, by his standards. He’s a 7 pitch guy but has relied on 3 mostly during this stretch.
His K’s are still up and his walks low but his command hasn’t been up to his par. He’s had 4 straight losses, which is unusual, and partly due to some iffy Pirate defense. But he’s 6 and 5 this season. In his last 4 games he has averaged 100 pitches but only 5 innings per outing. Far from his usual efficiency
We’ll which Skenes we get tonight but he has been more vulnerable, of late.
Make him throw it in the strike zone.
They should trade the bum.
They could send him over before the game then try to make 5 losses in a row.
1. I did not include Machado, because I was only looking at rental Starting Pitching. But I agree that the LAD side of the Machado trade was not strong. That was much more a quantity over quality. That is another point showing that AF is not going to overpay for a rental regardless as to how good he is.
2. At the time, many people thought that the Dodgers on paper overpaid for Scherzer and Turner with their two top prospects. Neither Ruiz nor JoJo Gray were ever top 100 prospects (MLB Pipeline). They were just at the top of a ho-hum Top 30 list. They did not overpay.
3. I do not believe anyone is arguing that the Dodgers need Skubal to win the West. I certainly do not believe that. He would fall into the “want him for October” category. I am not in the group that says the Dodgers need him in October to 3-Peat. But their chances improve with him in the rotation. Unless anyone thinks Snell, Glasnow, Sheehan and Wrobo are better starting pitchers than Skubal.
4. If the Dodgers do trade for Skubal, I do not believe they will re-sign him.
5. We will know well before the deadline whether Skubal will be able to pitch through the year. The Dodgers will have his medicals. They will only need to worry whether he can take the mound for August through October.
6. If you are not willing to trade one of the OF for a top elite rental pitcher for the playoffs, who do you believe they should trade them for, because they cannot keep them all? I assume many out there do not believe they should be traded for rentals at all. Young controllable players do not get moved very often (I will not say never). Maybe there are some who think that Tampa Bay will move Junior Caminero or Taylor Walls. They won’t. CWS is not moving Colson Montgomery. Cleveland is not moving Jose Ramirez. Milwaukee is not moving Brice Turang. Cubs are not moving Nico Hoerner.
7. Top prospects do not get traded for other top prospects. I do not understand the logic as to why that is, but that just does not happen. Especially at the deadline.
8. I agree with Bear. AF/BG will make a move at the deadline, but it is way more likely that it will not be something that was predicted. With Seager out for the year in 2018, the Machado trade was expected well in advance. I am not sure what other LAD trade was predicted. However, there were some who thought that Darvish would be traded in 2017, but not too many thought he was headed to LAD. LAD had 5 solid starters: Kershaw, Alex Wood, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda, and Hyun Jin Ryu. Yes Darvish made them better, just like Skubal will with this rotation.
9. BTW, knowing AF coveted certain players does not mean anyone expected those players to be traded to LAD. AF loved Brian Dozier and Tommy Edman. He got them both, but I do not believe they were predicted or expected to go to LAD.
10. Plus, the core of the 26 man roster will not change much for 2027. Too many on long term deals. Can’t keep them all in MiLB until their MiLB free agency period hits.
I called Darvish to the Dodgers on here. Freidman will pay for elite talent. After watching Lance Lynn have to take the mound in the postseason, I’m pretty sure AF said that should not and will not ever happen again.
6:40 PM ET
Dodgers (42-24)
Pirates (34-32)
SP Eric Lauer L
2-5 5.74 ERA
SP Paul Skenes R
6-5 2.83 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
CF Andy Pages R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Mookie Betts R
3B Max Muncy L
RF Kyle Tucker L
LF Ryan Ward L
C D. Rushing L
2B A. Freeland S
53% Rain
82° Wind 11 mph In
NO Smith
Will has been suffering from a stiff neck. Wonder if there is something else wrong there. MLBTR is estimating the QO will be 23.1 million this year.
Saw some report he might go on the I L.
I read that also.
Two very good (IMO) mailbags from Ardaya and Woo. They discuss Skubal, Betts, DePaula and River Ryan:
(both are $$$$$, I believe)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7341035/2026/06/08/dodgers-trade-deadline-shohei-ohtani/
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7343285/2026/06/09/dodgers-mookie-betts-hyeseong-kim/
Maybe Lauer can replace Miggy Ro as the 9th inning position player to lob up some softballs in a blowout game?
Why do we need Skubal again?
I mean, he’s a stud, but where is he even going pitch?
The Dodgers likely playoff rotation is Ohtani, Yamamoto, Glasnow and Snell. The alternate/long relief/spot relief roles for the current starting pitchers for the playoffs are Sheehan, Wrobo, Sasaki, and maybe River Ryan. If he keeps his current performance up Sasaki might be a candidate to join the top four if they can fit everyone on the pitching roster and somehow figure out a five man rotation for the playoffs.
In previous years, you go out and snag a stud starting pitcher for the playoffs because your current roster is a little lacking and doesn’t have that real difference maker. So playoff bound teams with WS aspirations would go out and try to land a rental ace. I don’t know that the Dodgers really have that need this year. Yeah, when they were having to rely on Landon Knack in bullpen games in the playoffs, sure. They went out and got Flaherty. They needed him.
Are you going to relegate one of Ohtani, Yamamoto, Glasnow or Snell to the bullpen for the playoffs?
At first glance, a trade with Sheehan and Hope for Skubal seems attractive, but a lot of that is Sheehan’s recent bad game. He’s still a current 3-4 starter on most any team, and Hope will likely be a starter on some team at some point. That’s a pretty spendy package for a pure rental, and he’s a rental unless you think the Dodgers are going to spend Gerrit Cole prices for him in a long term deal, which means one of Snell, Glasnow, Sasaki, Ohtani not longer starts or has to go. Not likely. If you’re pining for Snell or Glasnow to be traded away, that’s not going to happen.
Skubal would definitely move the needle, but only if someone on the current roster doesn’t start.
Joe Ryan? I had to look him up. Decent pitcher, I guess, but not good enough to really move the needle, and barely above the current collection of Wrobo/Sasaki/Sheehan/River Ryan. I don’t see the point unless you’re trading for someone just to trade for someone.
What he said!
You guys are missing the point
It isn’t about need. It’s about want.
Exactly. And the question isn’t who they bump from the rotation if Glasnow and Snell are healthy. It’s what do they do to make sure they win the World Series even if Glasnow and or Snell are injured.
I see there are still people worried about that shitty San Diego team, when if anything, it’s Arizona they might be worried about, but in the end, the only team that should be worrying is the Dodgers! At least I hope that the next time LA plays against them, you guys won’t be scared so you can sleep soundly.
“At least I hope that the next time LA plays against them, you guys won’t be scared so you can sleep soundly.”
What?
Ok. With all due respect here, nobody is scared and San Diego is not a “shitty” team. Their stars are underperforming and they are still in the playoff hunt. They have a smart GM and by all accounts new ownership that appears willing to spend. Of course they aren’t as good as the Dodgers but that didn’t matter much in ‘22 when the Dodgers won 111 and Padres beat them 3 games to 1 in the NLDS.
Just for fun let’s crowdsource a Pages contract.
for whatever reason, the team doesn’t really buy out years with control. But for the fun of it?
6 for 140?
I mean, it’s quite possible he can get to 70 rbi by July. He’s at 55 now.
Who saw a dozen with Skenes on the mound tonight?
A ten spot on Pirates middle relievers! Ouch!
Lauer pitched well. LA has now won all three of his starts. Klein got the win last night. Rushing is catching a lot of flak for that slide last night. He went old school and tried to take the infielder out of the play. Cost the Dodgers a base runner. Padres and D-Backs lost, both are now 8.5 games back.
Since Ward came up all I have been hearing here is that ward sucks on defense. Unless my every are deceiving me,the looks a hell of a lot better than Teo in left and plays hard out there. Watching the interview pregame showed a level headed mature player who knows his situation and intends to tdo the best he can . I think he fits the dodgers as a LF/4th of.