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Dodgers earn envious 'industry favorite' label in Tarik Skubal sweepstakes originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers are sitting atop the NL West, and look to be en route to a first-round bye this season as they pursue a third straight World Series title.
This superteam is already incredible, but they could get even better.
At the 2026 MLB trade deadline, with a massive crop of prospects to trade from, the Dodgers can land just about any player they want.
But what about Tarik Skubal, the best player who could be on the move this summer? Katie Woo, Will Sammon, and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic tiered each team's odds to land Skubal, and they gave the Dodgers the envious label of "industry favorite," as they're the most likely team to trade for Skubal this summer.
Dodgers are 'industry favorite' to trade for Tarik Skubal "Few teams have the financial security to even consider trading for Skubal.
And the Dodgers have made clear that anything less than a third consecutive World Series title this year would be a failure," The Athletic trio writes.
"So of course, it makes sense the industry sees Los Angeles as Skubal's most logical destination." There might be other teams that could justify the price and swing a blockbuster deal for Skubal, like the Tampa Bay Rays , New York Yankees , Milwaukee Brewers , Atlanta Braves , and Philadelphia Phillies.
But no team can compare to how well situated the Dodgers are when it comes to the potential to acquire Skubal this summer.
MORE : Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani injury update essentially ends Cy Young chances Even though the Dodgers don't necessarily need to add Skubal, with their rotation already strong enough as it is now, picking up the Detroit Tigers ' back-to-back Cy Young winner would be a huge help.
Not only would it give them another ace-level pitcher, but it would block their top competition from being able to improve significantly as well.
Major League Baseball's industry, both inside the league and with reporters, sees the Dodgers as the clear top option for Skubal this deadline.
As The Athletic trio notes, "If the Dodgers want Skubal, they'll get him." The Dodgers are the "industry favorite" to trade for Skubal, and while a deal is not a guarantee, it would hardly be a surprise if Skubal joined Shohei Ohtani , Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and others in the Dodgers rotation by August 3.
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Twins series amid trade interest in three players Phillies would love to trade for Mets reliever Luke Weaver MLB execs believe Padres will trade Mason Miller at trade deadline.