How Tarik Skubal could decide Hunter Greene's future with the Reds

Two-time AL Cy Young Award-winner Tarik Skubal is almost certain to be the biggest name moved at this year's MLB trade deadline. The Detroit Tigers, much like the Cincinnati Reds, were hoping to compete for a playoff spot in 2026, but are seven games below .500 and 4½ back of the final AL Wild Card spot.

As such, the Tigers have become sellers with Monday's deadline looming. On Friday, Detroit scratched right-hander Casey Mize from his impending start — another surefire sign the Tigers will be offloading several players in the coming days.

Skubal is the big fish, however. A number of teams have inquired about what it will take to pry him away from the Motor City, and the short answer is, a lot. Skubal is arguably the best pitcher in baseball, and would be the headliner for every rotation throughout Major League Baseball. That includes the team most closely linked to Skubal, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The two-time defending World Series champions have innumerable assets — both on the Major League roster and in their farm system — and are looking to bolster their already overwhelming odds to three-peat this season. But, if another team swoops in at the last minute and steals Skubal from under their noses, LA's front office may have to quickly pivot. That's where Hunter Greene comes into play.

If the Dodgers whiff on Tarik Skubal, Hunter Greene could be traded to LA

The Dodgers aren't the only team with their eyes on Skubal. The Milwaukee Brewers are said to be making a strong push, and both the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves have been mentioned as well. Even the Chicago Cubs have been loosely linked to the Tigers' lefty. In other words, while the Dodgers are the favors (and have the assets), they're not alone.

If the Dodgers fail to land Skubal at the deadline, all of the sudden, their rotation does not look so formidable. Yes, LA has the 1-2 punch of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. But Ohtani's been shut down from throwing, and there are doubts about whether or not he'll return to the rotation this season.

The Dodgers' rotation depth is better than most other organizations, but Tyler Glasnow, Bobby Miller, and Blake Snell are all on the injured list, and top pitching prospect River Ryan is currently sidelined with a hamstring strain. In other words, LA may have no choice but to add another frontline starter at the deadline.

If Cincinnati is serious about trading Greene, they need to get an absolute haul in return. The Dodgers have the best farm system in the league, and several talented prospects like Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, and Eduardo Quintero could be part of a trade package if Greene was sent to Los Angeles.

There've been some conflicting rumors in recent days — some suggesting the Reds are planning to trade Greene, while others presume he's staying put. Reds fans will have to be patient. The deadline doesn't expire until 6 p.m. ET on Monday, but if Skubal doesn't land in LA, Greene could become a popular target for Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers' front office.

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