Dodgers face difficult Justin Wrobleski trade deadline reality as decision looms

On Tuesday, Justin Wrobleski bounced back from a shaky start against the Pittsburgh Pirates and put together a scoreless effort against the Tampa Bay Rays. Starts like the one he made against the Pirates are becoming increasingly uncommon as he's emerged as an absolute stalwart in the Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation.

But he's also putting a target on his back. The trade deadline is a lot closer than you might think, and the Dodgers might be prepping for a blockbuster.

The Tigers have reportedly been telling other teams that they are not listening to offers on Tarik Skubal, and insiders believe their decision on whether or not to deal him may come down to the wire. But that doesn't mean the Dodgers and other suitors can't prep potential offers to prepare for the likely scenario in which Skubal hits the trade market.

If we're the Tigers, who have a lot of leverage with Skubal and a shortage of solid starting pitching depth — we're asking for Wrobleski, if not demanding him.

Even though the Dodgers don't cling to their homegrown players, they've made the occasional exception in the past with the likes of Will Smith, Dalton Rushing, and Andy Pages. What LA has to figure out ahead of the August 3 trade deadline is whether or not Wrobleski will be another exception to the rule.

Justin Wrobleski is turning himself into a prime Dodgers trade candidate

Andrew Friedman is a shrewd operator, but Scott Harris has a reputation for being stubborn and shouldn't be underestimated. There are teams far more desperate than the Dodgers to win the World Series (hello, Milwaukee Brewers) who could be willing to capitulate where LA might not. If Wrobleski is untouchable, the Dodgers need to have a backup plan. Maybe multiple backup plans.

To even think that the Dodgers might give up Wrobleski, who has years and years of team control, for Skubal — who will have less than half a season left on his contract — might seem absurd. But that's just how good Skubal is, and just how dead-set the Dodgers, Brewers, New York Yankees, Phialdephia Phillies, maybe even the Rays will be when the deadline comes around later this summer.

Wrobleski might be the most valuable trade chip on the Dodgers roster right now, and the Tigers wouldn't be doing their due diligence if they didn't ask for him. The Dodgers just need to figure out if asking for Wrobleski is a non-starter or a means to a negotiation.

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