The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off back-to-back World Series titles, might be making noise about taking it easy at the upcoming MLB trade deadline, but Shohei Ohtani’s injury just blew that idea right out of the water. This isn’t just about depth anymore, folks. This is about potentially chasing an ace, and that ace is Tarik Skubal.
Ohtani’s Injury Forces Dodgers’ Hand, Will Smith Out Too
The news dropped Sunday: Ohtani isn’t expected to pitch for a while. There’s no specific timeline, but the Dodgers are clearly playing it safe with their two-way superstar. He’ll keep his bat in the lineup, still DHing and batting leadoff, which is a small comfort. But losing his arm, even for an indefinite period, is a huge worry for a team gunning for a three-peat. And it’s not just Ohtani. Bob Nightengale reported that catcher Will Smith is out for another month, pushing the Dodgers into the catchers’ market too. They seemed set at the deadline, but now? Not so much. This situation with Ohtani can really emphasize the need for some serious depth.
Tarik Skubal: The Ace They Need, The Trade Everyone Fears
So, if you’re the Dodgers, and you’re loaded at the MLB level with a special farm system, what do you do when your ace isn’t pitching and another key guy is out? You go get *an* ace. And right now, there’s no better pitcher potentially available than Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers would have to decide they’re selling, which is a big “if,” but if they do, the Dodgers can put together a package that’s going to be impossible to beat. They can just load up in any trade. This Ohtani situation might be the exact nudge the Dodgers need to go from just adding depth to really pursuing the southpaw ace, Skubal. The rest of the league knows the Dodgers are equipped to three-peat, as long as they stay healthy. This injury, though a setback, could just make them even more dangerous at the deadline.
What happens next? The trade deadline is looming, and the baseball world is holding its breath to see if the Tigers decide to sell and if the Dodgers pull the trigger on a move for Skubal. If they do, this could reshape the entire season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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