Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly in active trade talks for All-Star pitcher

Many of the latest MLB trade rumors leading up to the July 30 MLB trade deadline have hinted at All-Star pitcher Garrett Crochet landing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. While Crochet is a coveted starter, the Dodgers are reportedly in talks for another All-Star pitcher.

Among the many Dodgers trade targets, starting pitching is an obvious one. Even with Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow coming off the injured list, Los Angeles still has multiple starters sidelined. It’s also experienced how quickly pitching depth can thin out quickly.

• Tarik Skubal contract: $2.65 million salary in 2024, arbitration-eligible 2025-’26

Crochet is reportedly among the most coveted Dodgers trade targets inside the organization. However, the 25-year-old is already well past his career-high for innings pitched. Los Angeles has already acknowledged even before it potentially acquires Crochet, that he might have to be moved to the bullpen in September to limit his workload. That’s not the case with the other ace being pursued.

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As first reported by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers have discussed a Tarik Skubal trade with the Detroit Tigers. Los Angeles is joined by the Baltimore Orioles in having active talks with the Tigers about their best player.

Skubal, age 27, has been one of the best pitchers in baseball for two seasons now. The California native earned his first All-Star selection this summer and would be in the race for the Cy Young Award if he was on a better team.

• Tarik Skubal stats (FanGraphs): 2.41 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, .189 batting average allowed, 30.8% K-rate, 4.6% walk rate, 26.2% K-BB rate

The 6-foot-3 southpaw is approaching his career-high (149.1) for innings pitched, but there are no concerns about his potential workload in October. It will take significant convincing for the Tigers to move him, however, with any deal requiring several of the Dodgers top prospects. One thing that’s clear as the MLB trade deadline nears, the Dodgers plan to be just as aggressive as they were this winter.