Dodgers now need Tarik Skubal trade miracle after Tigers shockingly sign Framber Valdez

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been a constant presence in Tarik Skubal trade rumors, but the Detroit Tigers may have just checkmated Andrew Friedman and Co.

There was an expectation that the Tigers, given their lack of activity this offseason, would trade Skubal ahead of the trade deadline. Shockingly, the Tigers may have altered that expectation with the signing of Framber Valdez.

Valdez's free agency had been a fascinating case study this offseason. He entered the winter with the impression of being the best starting pitcher available, but the character concerns that surfaced during his final year with the Houston Astros may have stunted his market.

There was an expectation that the Baltimore Orioles would be the team to overlook those concerns, but it was the Tigers.

Tigers’ Framber Valdez stunner just made Tarik Skubal trade even more unlikely for the Dodgers

The timing of the Tigers' signing of Valdez is curious. It came just hours after Skubal's arbitration hearing concluded, and in the coming hours, we should know the outcome. The Tigers filed at $19 million while Skubal's camp filed at $32 million.

Before signing Valdez, no one was really clear what the Tigers' plan was for 2026. There was some sense that if Skubal won his hearing, Detroit would be motivated to move the two-time Cy Young Award winner with the hope of clearing that salary from their books. But signing Valdez to a historic deal might be a sign that the Tigers are confident that Skubal will be making $19 million this year.

Even if Skubal wins his hearing, it doesn't sound like signing Valdez was a precursor to a trade. The Athletic's (subscription required) Ken Rosenthal reports that the Tigers are expected to hold onto Skubal despite the developments over the last 24 hours.

In other words, the odds of the Dodgers trading for Skubal are now on life support. Perhaps Valdez implodes behind the scenes and the Tigers' offense doesn't take a step forward, but it's clear that, as of this moment, they are going for it in 2026.

There's not a trade package that the Dodgers could offer right now that would move the Tigers off that stance. Patience has been at the center of Los Angeles' potential pursuit of Skubal, and they now may be forced to wait until next offseason to start it in earnest.