Tarik Skubal injury might actually help Dodgers' chances at 2026 trade deadline

The Tigers were rocked on Monday, when they announced that ace and longtime Dodgers trade target Tarik Skubal would be undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies in his throwing elbow.

Dodgers fans are familiar with this surgery — it's the same one Edwin Díaz underwent a few weeks ago. The Tigers are hopeful for a quick and easy procedure, but there's still no timetable (though 2-3 weeks is standard).

Manager AJ Hinch has tried to be reassuring, but it's no secret that this is a potential disaster for the Tigers. They're already missing Casey Mize, who went down with a groin issue, multiple position players, and a key reliever to injury.

Skubal was always going to be the Tigers' biggest safety net at the trade deadline. Chances of him being dealt were still low — everyone expected Detroit to be a contender — but if they tanked by the end of July, they would, at the very least, have to entertain the thought.

Could this be the Dodgers' moment? A three-month absence with injury would have Skubal coming back right around the deadline. Though he'd be fresh off of injury and only be under team control for less than half a season, LA could pull off the fleece of the century.

Tarik Skubal's injury suddenly opens the door to making Dodgers' longtime dream come true

The Dodgers would almost certainly employ a similar strategy to the one they used to pry Tyler Glasnow from the Rays: offer Skubal a huge contract extension, to be signed almost immediately after the deal becomes official.

Skubal and Scott Boras' willingness to do that could be the thing this particular thought experiment hinges on. If they have to risk losing him to another suitor in the offseason after having him for just two months and the postseason, why not just wait until the postseason, when everything is fair game?

Everyone knows the Dodgers have the prospect firepower to make this happen, and Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris sure does love his prospects. Throw in one of the Dodgers' many ranked outfielders and a controllable pitcher, and we may have ourselves a deal.

A lot would have to go right for this to happen. The Tigers could prove that they're still a threat even without their biggest threat. But Andrew Friedman is almost certainly monitoring this situation with a watchful eye, and if he sees an opportunity, he'll pounce.

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