The Los Angeles Dodgers are going all in for a three-peat.
The two-time defending World Series champions are acquiring ace Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers for outfielder Zyhir Hope, right-hander River Ryan, and right-hander Brady Smith, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Skubal, the reigning two-time AL Cy Young winner, was the top available trade candidate going into Monday's deadline. He owns a 2.79 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts across 96 2/3 innings.
The left-hander missed six weeks earlier in the season after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow. He's made nine starts since coming off the IL, posting a 2.87 ERA with 71 strikeouts.
Skubal said he wanted to remain in Detroit this season, but the Tigers opted to trade the 29-year-old before he could hit free agency this winter. He's expected to sign the biggest contract for a pitcher in MLB history once he hits the open market.
The reported addition of Skubal gives the Dodgers a rotation that also features Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow once all the starters are healthy. Ohtani hasn't pitched in a month due a knee issue, Snell is close to returning, and Glasnow is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment soon.
Skubal could make his debut with Los Angeles on Tuesday, pitching on five days rest, or Wednesday on six days rest. Both potential starts would come against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Dodgers will also visit the Tigers at the end of August for a three-game series.
Hope was the No. 5-ranked prospect in the Dodgers' minor-league system and 25th overall across baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. He recorded 23 homers with 87 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, and an .899 OPS in 94 minor-league contests this season.
The Dodgers pulled the 21-year-old from his Double-A Tulsa lineup earlier in the night ahead of the reported blockbuster trade.
The 27-year-old Ryan, the seventh-ranked prospect in the system and 68th overall, is pitching in Triple-A after missing all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Lastly, Smith was the No. 17 prospect in L.A.'s system. The 21-year-old authored a 4.36 ERA with 13.7 K/9 over 74.1 innings in Single-A this year.
