MLB Network's Tigers-Brewers proposal for Tarik Skubal may foreshadow Dodgers cost

While the Tampa Bay Rays can't be counted out just yet, the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes most likely comes down to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers. Both organizations have been closely linked to Skubal since it became evident that the Detroit Tigers were planning to sell at this year's trade deadline.

But recent comments from former MLB general manager Steve Phillips — who appeared on MLB Network Radio earlier this week — suggest that the Brewers' trade package is going to be exorbitant if they hope to land the Tigers' ace.

"They're going to have to give up Jesús Made, the top prospect in their organization to get him," Phillips said. "And, they're likely going to have to give up Luis Lara, who's in the big leagues right now, who's got great plate discipline at the minor league level. He's been a decent run producer, and he's off to a decent start in his big league career."

"I think those two are going to have to lead the way in the deal, and it may include Luis Peña," Phillips continued. "I think they'll get away with not putting Cooper Pratt in, since he's on the Major League roster...I think it's going to be a monster trade."

It's important to note that Phillips is a former GM for a reason, but if he's correct, that's a steep price to pay for what amounts to two months of Skubal. But for an organization like the Brewers, who've never won a World Series in their existence, the juice might be worth the squeeze.

What would a Dodgers "monster trade" for Tarik Skubal look like?

If the Dodgers are match such a deal, what might that look like? The short answer is, a lot. But if Phillips is suggesting that Made and Lara, plus Peña, is what it's going to cost the Brewers, a Dodgers' deal for Skubal starts with including Josue De Paula as part of a trade package.

The Dodgers' top prospect, and one of the best in all of baseball, is hitting .308/.405/.520 with 16 home runs, 73 RBI, 28 stolen bases, and a 143 wRC+ at Double-A Tulsa this season. There's a lot to dream on with De Paula, but the Dodgers' outfield depth makes that type od sacrifice doable, albeit very painful.

But De Paula alone isn't getting the job done. Assuming Detroit hopes to replace Skubal in their rotation, Justin Wrobleski may be part of the ask as well. Throw in other top prospects like Mike Sirota, Eduardo Morales, and Zyhir Hope among others, and you can see how quickly LA's farm system can go from stacked to gutted.

The actual price and Skubal's true destination may not be fully known until Monday at 3 p.m. PT when the trade deadline passes, though rumors are swirling that he could be moved sooner than that.

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