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Dodgers Pass on Skubal Trade Before Deadline, Detroit Eyes Deal

7/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Dodgers president Andrew Friedman said they will not make a splash for ace Tarik Skubal before the Aug. 3 deadline.
Skubal, a back-to-back AL Cy Young winner, has a $32 million salary and a 2.97 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 39.1 innings since June 13.
The Dodgers have a four-starter rotation and could sign Skubal in free agency.
Detroit, 25-15 and 4.5 games from the AL wild-card, may pursue a “Hail Mary” trade for Skubal.

History

Historical Context

After the 1994-95 strike, the 1995 collective bargaining agreement restored free-agency arbitration that owners had tried to replace with a salary cap, ending a period of owner collusion that had cost clubs $269 million in fines in the mid-1980s. That legacy of arbitration informs today’s payroll caution, as Dodgers president Andrew Friedman declines Detroit’s $32 million pitcher Tarik Skubal.

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Story summary

Dodgers president Andrew Friedman said they will not make a splash for ace Tarik Skubal before the Aug. 3 deadline.
Skubal, a back-to-back AL Cy Young winner, has a $32 million salary and a 2.97 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 39.1 innings since June 13.
The Dodgers have a four-starter rotation and could sign Skubal in free agency.
Detroit, 25-15 and 4.5 games from the AL wild-card, may pursue a “Hail Mary” trade for Skubal.

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