Where Tarik Skubal would fit into trade contenders rotations

As the MLB trade deadline draws closer, all eyes remain on Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. The back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner is widely considered the best pitcher in baseball, making him the most coveted player expected to be available.

While several teams have checked in on the superstar left-hander, five clubs appear to be the favorites: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves, and Milwaukee Brewers.

No matter where Skubal lands, he would immediately become the ace of the staff. Here’s a look at how each contender’s rotation could stack up if they successfully pull off the blockbuster trade. These projections assume every pitcher is healthy and do not account for any players who might be sent to Detroit in the deal.

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Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are viewed by many as the favorites to land Skubal, and adding him would give them arguably the most talented rotation in baseball. A projected group of Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, and Tyler Glasnow would feature five pitchers capable of dominating any lineup in a postseason series. They also have Roski Sasaki, who has seen an increase in velocity and results lately.

Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia already has one of the strongest rotations in baseball, but adding Skubal could put the Phillies in a class of their own. The projected rotation would feature Tarik Skubal, Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo, and either Aaron Nola or Andrew Painter, giving the club incredible depth and multiple legitimate Game 1 starters.

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Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays have consistently built winning teams around elite pitching, and Skubal would only strengthen that identity. Their projected rotation would consist of Tarik Skubal, Drew Rasmussen, Nick Martinez, Shane McClanahan, and either Ian Seymour or Griffin Jax, creating another dangerous staff capable of making a deep postseason run.

Atlanta Braves

Atlanta could pair Skubal with former Cy Young winner Chris Sale, giving the Braves one of the best one-two punches in baseball. Behind them would be Martín Pérez, Bryce Elder, and either Reynaldo Lopez or Grant Holmes, giving Atlanta a rotation with both top-end talent and reliable depth.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers have assembled an impressive collection of young arms, and Skubal would immediately become the veteran ace leading the group. A projected rotation of Tarik Skubal, Jacob Misiorowski, Kyle Harrison, Logan Henderson, and one of Brandon Sproat, Robert Gasser, or Shane Drohan would blend elite talent with exciting long-term potential.

Game Changing Move

Wherever Skubal ultimately lands, he’ll instantly elevate that team’s championship chances. The Dodgers may currently be viewed as the frontrunners, but the Phillies, Rays, Braves, and Brewers all have the pieces to build one of baseball’s most formidable rotations if they’re able to land the biggest prize of this year’s trade deadline.

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