The Detroit Tigers could trade ace Tarik Skubal this trade deadline, and Los Angeles Dodgers starter Emmet Sheehan fits the bill for what they may ask in return.
The Tigers, per The Athletic, would demand a “controllable starting pitcher plus quality prospects.”
Los Angeles has plenty on intriguing prospects to send over in a potential package for Skubal, and the article lists Sheehan as a player to fill in the first part of the deal. Sheehan, 26, is under control through the 2030 MLB season and has shown flashes of brilliance throughout parts of three MLB seasons.
Sheehan first came up in 2023, posting a 4.92 ERA through 13 appearances and striking out 64 players in 60.1 innings. Before the beginning of the 2024 season, Sheehan went to the injured list with right forearm inflammation, and eventually needed Tommy John surgery, taking him out for the season.
He came back with a vengeance in 2025, making 15 appearances and posting a 2.82 ERA through 73.1 innings. He struck out batters for fun, logging 89 punch outs in 73.1 innings. This season, though, Sheehan is showing some worrying signs. His fastball velocity is down from his strong return last season, and his ERA climbed over 5.00 after his most recent start.
The right-hander is still striking out tons of batters, logging 99 strikeouts across 87.2 innings pitched, but has struggled to keep the ball in the park this season, allowing 17 homers.
Regardless, Skubal would be a huge upgrade to any rotation, even at the cost of a potential front-line starter like Sheehan.
What Would the Rest of the Package Look Like?
The Dodgers have several prospects they could send to the Tigers for a player of Skubal’s caliber, especially in the outfield. Alongside Sheehan, ESPN’s Jeff Passan proposed the Dodgers send outfielder Zyhir Hope and shortstop Aidan West to the Tigers.
Hope, who the Dodgers acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Michael Busch trade, is their No. 3 prospect, and is producing at an extremely high level in Double-A. He has a .907 OPS on the year, hitting 21 homers and driving in 84 runs on the year—both career-highs at any level.
West is a fourth-round draft pick from 2025, and has exclusively featured in the Arizona Complex League this season. The 19-year-old has a 1.009 OPS through 20 games, hitting three homers and driving in 23 runs on the season.
Do you think the Dodgers should trade Emmet Sheehan if they can land Skubal? What do you think of Passan’s trade package?
About the Author
