DETROIT — A rumor is spreading like wildfire in baseball: According to a new report, the framework for a trade for Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers has been finalized, leaving Tigers fans and the entire MLB waiting with bated breath. If everything is approved — and Skubal agrees to a long-term contract package with the Dodgers — it could be the biggest bombshell of the 2025–26 trade window.
According to veteran reporter David “Ping” Pingalore — who has repeatedly broken big news to the public — the two teams have agreed on the key components of the deal, pending only approval from Tigers leadership and a long-term commitment from Skubal to the Dodgers.
“The Skubal deal is essentially in place — the pieces are agreed to, the framework is done. What’s holding it up now is the long-term extension and ownership approval in Detroit.”
A short sentence, but enough to send Tigers fans into a state of turmoil — from hopes of returning to the playoffs, to fears of losing the biggest star on the mound.
Skubal, 29, is the brightest star in Detroit’s rotation — a two-year AL Cy Young Award winner (2024–2025), with a stellar ERA, dominant strikeout, and the centerpiece of all postseason hopes.
However, he has only one year left on his contract before entering “full free agency.” With the pitching market skyrocketing — where new legends like Yoshinobu Yamamoto are getting huge contracts — Detroit faces a huge financial problem if it wants to keep Skubal long-term.
The Dodgers, who are always on the lookout for aces to carry the season, are said to be ready to meet a record salary, along with young talent and valuable pitching prospects — a “trade” that Detroit should consider.
In Detroit, the news spread and everyone was “shocked.” An anonymous member of the front-office shared:
“If we lose Skubal, it will be the most painful decision we have made in years of building. But if the price is too high, we cannot take the risk.”
Fans revealed that many fanclub accounts have changed their profile pictures to gray — a symbol of sadness — and a series of “Save Skubal” groups have appeared online.
A former Tigers player told the press privately:
“An ace like Skubal is not easy to find. If we lose him, it will take a long time to recover.”
If the trade goes through, the Dodgers will not only have a world-class ace but also the back-to-back Cy Young, a rare occurrence in MLB history. This means a real opportunity for an all-out offensive season — but it also comes with immense pressure regarding the contract value and the “sensational” impact from his famous agent, Scott Boras.
Many analysts warn:
“If the Dodgers don’t commit long-term, trading Skubal right now would be a double-edged sword — a successful season or the entire project could collapse.”
The Winter Meetings window is open, and both Detroit and Los Angeles are being pressured by the clock of history. If Detroit agrees and Skubal accepts the trade — this will be a deal that will make the winter of 2025-26 unforgettable. If not — the Tigers will lose their ace, and the Dodgers could enter 2026 with the ultimate weapon.
But for now, it’s all just rumors — and I’m not being serious about that.
The public, the fans, the other teams — everyone is watching, waiting for the next move.
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