CBS Sports’ early trade deadline prediction already has Dodgers fans salivating

It's never too early to start thinking about the trade deadline. The Los Angeles Dodgers are fortunate to have depth on nearly all fronts, so while they're always ready to wheel and deal, they'll be big game hunting if they make a move.

Because needs don't matter as much for them, the Dodgers can focus on luxury adds over desperation trades. While last year's deadline was relatively quiet, the way Los Angeles has stacked outfield prospects makes it look as if a big swing is on the horizon.

Mike Axisa came out with an early trade deadline candidates preview, and has the Dodgers doing just that, pursuing aces Tarik Skubal and Joe Ryan in order to make a big splash. The Dodgers don't need starters now, and have enough depth to survive injuries, but there's a big difference between these potential targets and guys like River Ryan, Landon Knack, and Kyle Hurt.

Projected Dodgers' trade deadline targets are the stuff that dreams are made of

Skubal is obviously the ultimate prize, but his availability is questionable. The Tigers are stuck between a rock and a hard place with him. On the one hand, signing Framber Valdez this winter would suggest that they are trying to prove to him that they are true contenders. However, they apparently didn't even try to make him a long-term extension offer this offseason.

The most likely scenario is that they don't trade him unless their season goes awry and they're completely out of the race by July. However, there's a chance that they get spooked that he'll walk for nothing but a comp pick in the offseason and decide to try to recoup assets.

LA is already the favorite to win the World Series, but adding Skubal to a rotation with multiple other aces would add an enormous amount of distance between the club and the rest of the pack of contenders.

If the Dodgers can't land Skubal, either because the Tigers aren't interested in selling or because they're asking for the moon, the stars, and Andrew Friedman's right arm, then Joe Ryan might be the next best bet.

While not quite a superstar on the level of Skubal, Ryan is also a legitimate No. 1 starter in his own right. In terms of racking up strikeouts and limiting walks, only Ryan truly compares to Skubal. Since 2023, they are the only two qualified pitchers with over 10.00 K/9 and under 2.00 BB/9.

It's still a question as to whether or not the Twins will trade their ace, however. He wasn't included in their deadline sell-off last summer and survived a winter full of rumors. Minnesota should be all-in on a rebuild, especially after losing co-rotation headliner Pablo Lopez for the year due to Tommy John surgery.

Obviously, a lot can happen between now and the end of July, but the way things are shaping up, the Dodgers will be on the hunt for something big, and these two guys are two of the biggest possible fish that they could reel in.