Dodgers' best trade of 2026 might've happened in May with Tarik Skubal uncertainty

Tossing six no-hit innings is certainly enough to prove your mettle to your new team. That’s just what Dodgers pitcher Eric Lauer did last Monday night in LA’s series opener vs. the Twins. He'll take the mound again Monday against the Athletics.

Lauer has been superb since joining L.A., transforming a 1-5 record and 6.69 ERA with Toronto to begin the season into a 2-0, 2.54 mark with the Dodgers. And with the Dodgers' chances at acquiring another big-name lefty in flux, they may have snagged their pivotal chess piece months earlier than August’s trade deadline.

All Eric Lauer needed was a change of scenery with the Dodgers to find his groove

In 28 1/3 innings with the Dodgers, Lauer has allowed eight runs (five via the long ball), and has a 0.92 WHIP. His WHIP with the Blue Jays this season was 1.49, while he gave up 27 runs in 36 1/3 innings. 

Much fuss was made about Lauer’s public disapproval of following an opener in Toronto. Lauer, who's been primarily a starter throughout his career, flatly said, “I hate it”, emphasizing that, as “creatures of habit”, entering the game out of the bullpen disrupted his general starting routine pregame. 

Those comments, along with his poor performance, likely led to his trade to L.A. And since he's arrived, he's had no problems with being used as such. Lauer even clarified that his problem was not with opening itself, but with not being briefed on his squad’s plans to use him in that way prior to games. The Dodgers briefed him on the plan last week and the lefty responded positively.

Lauer expressed gratitude for manager Dave Roberts postgame as well, and the fact that he went through that plan with him in ample time for him to get ready. Roberts, meanwhile stressed that he had no reservations about Lauer’s desire to impact winning: “He’s all in on winning.”

The Dodgers will be trade deadline buyers, and have been linked to Tarik Skubal for years. That said, there are a number of other teams that might be more desperate for Skubal and would be willing to pay a heftier price than LA. If that's the case, the production that Lauer’s providing as a lefty arm, coupled with the hefty price they’d have to pay for Skubal, it’s quite possible the Dodgers already made their most impactful trade of the 2026 campaign.

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