Tarik Skubal trade rumors, MLB prospect rankings represent perfect time for Dodgers

The Tigers are tanking, and that almost certainly has Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers' front office scheming already.

Everyone knew that losing Tarik Skubal to surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow was catastrophic for Detroit, but no one could've predicted the full extent of the catastrophe. Since Skubal's last start before undergoing surgery (April 29), the Tigers are 7-19 entering play on Friday. They had an eight-game losing streak going, are last in the AL Central, and are tied with the Angels for the worst record in the American League.

Woof.

There's still time for the Tigers to turn it around, but Dodgers fans hope they don't, because it might mean that they let go of Skubal at the trade deadline for far, far less than he is worth.

So Keith Law's updated top 50 prospects list couldn't have dropped at a better time. The Dodgers have a five in the top 25, any of whom could be used to entice the Tigers to hand Skubal over.

Given the surgery and the limited team control left, speculated prices are already much lower than they were in the offseason, with the general consensus being that it would take a top 100 overall prospect plus one from within the buying org's top 30.

The Dodgers should have zero problem making that happen.

Tigers' collapse should already have the Dodgers exploring a Tarik Skubal trade

If the Tigers are giving up their ace, they're going to want a starting pitcher in return. Luckily, the Dodgers have plenty of those, and River Ryan is highly evaluated by all of MLB Pipeline, The Athletic, and Baseball America. Law even went as far as to name him his No. 19 overall prospect.

While Ryan's health issues as of late might give the Tigers some pause, he is by far their best trade chip in terms of pitching (unless you count Justin Wrobleski, who the Dodgers seem rather attached to). Throw in any one of the many, many outfielders in LA's system — James Tibbs III could be of great interest to Detroit — and we may have ourselves a deal.

There are probably teams that will still balk at Skubal's price given the surgery and limited amount of time left on the season by the time he's traded, but what is the Dodgers' farm system for if not exactly this? They have the resources; they might as well use them.

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