Tarik Skubal trade guarantees Dodgers another World Series crown | Opinion

You knew it was going to happen. The Dodgers weren’t going to let Skubal get away, and they certainly weren’t about to face him.

They had the money, and they had the prospects.

All it took was top pitching prospect River Ryan, outfielder Zyhir Hope and starter Brady Smith, and $9.93 million to convince the Detroit Tigers there was no need to delay their decision, and trade Skubal to the Dodgers.

So, go ahead and start the parade route.

The Dodgers are going to three-peat.

You know it. Their rivals know it. And those demanding a salary cap know it.

Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City. The crown jewel of the 2026 MLB trade deadline is undoubtedly two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ lefty has missed some time due to injury this season, but still boasts a remarkable 2.70 ERA on the season while striking out 11 batters per nine innings pitched.

In a sense, this has been Skubal’s best season. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is the highest it’s ever been at 8.46. His FIP (2.68) is still elite and below where his ERA currently stands. All that to say that every team in position to contend for a World Series this year should be dialing the Tigers’ number and trying to get their paws on Skubal.

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Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City. The crown jewel of the 2026 MLB trade deadline is undoubtedly two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ lefty has missed some time due to injury this season, but still boasts a remarkable 2.70 ERA on the season while striking out 11 batters per nine innings pitched.

In a sense, this has been Skubal’s best season. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is the highest it’s ever been at 8.46. His FIP (2.68) is still elite and below where his ERA currently stands. All that to say that every team in position to contend for a World Series this year should be dialing the Tigers’ number and trying to get their paws on Skubal.

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The Dodgers tried to play coy throughout the process, saying they were just fine without Skubal, and didn’t need him.

Then, they looked in the mirror. Who were they kidding?

They had Yoshinobu Yamamoto and four question marks.

You really think they were going to let the Milwaukee Brewers grab him and team him with Jacob Misiorowski?

They wanted nothing to do with the possibility of facing Skubal. And what’s the best way to avoid that? Get him yourself.

Oh, and just to get any suspense out of the way — Skubal will be signing with the Dodgers as a free agent.

Everyone in favor of a salary cap will be using this is Exhibit A. Yet, the truth is that the Dodgers grabbed their man simply with prospects.

This had nothing to do with money, but everything to do with the organization’s talent.

In return, they’ve all but guaranteed themselves a World Series.

They’ve got Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Skubal, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Justin Wrobleski, Tyler Glasmow, Emmet Sheehan, and plenty of others.

You think anyone’s going to knock these guys off?

Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations, tipped his hand earlier in the week when he said: “There just aren’t many star-level players in the game. Any time one is available, we’re always going to participate in those conversations.’

So the Dodgers did just like that, like they traded for Mookie Betts, signed Freddie Freeman, and signed Ohtani, Snell, Edwin Diaz and Kyle Tucker.

Whoever the Dodgers want, they get.

They will be remembered forever in baseball history, becoming the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series championships.

No one is capable of stopping them.

It may be only Aug. 1, but it might as well be Nov. 1.

The World Series trophy is going to the Dodgers – who have the most money, the most prospects, the most talent and the smartest front office.

Everybody can yell about a salary cap. Bring it all on. The Dodgers don’t care.

Their biggest thought now is clearing space for another World Series championship trophy.

Foillow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale