Former Cubs prospect headlines Dodgers' blockbuster Tarik Skubal trade with Tigers

While the Chicago Cubs were thought be involved in the Tarik Skubal trade sweepstakes, the general expectation was that if either Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers truly wanted Skubal, they could easily outbid the Cubs. Skubal is indeed not headed to Chicago, and instead, is going where most expected him to land over the past year: the Dodgers.

The trade was completed on Saturday night and in the deal, the Dodgers offered former Cubs prospect Zyhir Hope as the headliner. The Tigers will also receive pitching prospects River Ryan and Brady Smith as part of the deal.

Hope, along with Jackson Ferris, were sent by the Cubs to the Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season in exchange for first baseman Michael Busch and relief pitcher Yency Almonte. It remains a deal that the Cubs likely have no regret over. Even with a power regression this year, Busch still boasts a wRC+ of 112 and is under control through the 2029 season. He's a year removed from hitting 34 home runs, and assuming the power returns, it's the type of trade the front office should make ten times over.

Zyhir Hope, former Cubs prospect, headlines Dodgers' trade package for Tarik Skubal

As for the package, it's hard to find the trade being a major victory for the Tigers. Hope is one of the game's best prospects, but LA was in a situation where they could offer him in a potential deal without losing much shine on their farm system. At Double-A this year, the 21-year-old has an OPS of .899 with 23 home runs.

Ryan is where some opinions are mixed. He lands at No. 68 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list, but he's already turning 28 in August and carries some injury concern. Skeptics will point to this 4.46 ERA in Triple-A this year as a red flag, but that's quickly erased by his 2.88 FIP. The stuff is clearly there, but it's hard to ignore that he's pitched over 100 innings in a season only once since being drafted by the Dodgers in 2021.

Smith is the typical lower-level lottery ticket that is included as the final piece in these type of trades.

Two things can be true about this deal. It does feel light but it may not matter for the Tigers if Hope does turn out to be a superstar. Also, while the Cubs could have topped this offer, it's important to realize that Hope would easily be considered the Cubs' best prospect if he were still in the system. The Cubs also don't currently have a pitching prospect with the ceiling the Ryan has. Yes, the Cubs could have topped the offer, but it would have included players from their major league roster, as well was someone like Josiah Hartshorn. The front office wasn't going to make that sacrifice for Skubal.

As for if the Dodgers landing Skubal changes the path for the Cubs before Monday's deadline, probably not. Even with their own interest, Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins had to assume that the Dodgers were going to be the favorites for Skubal. Just because the trade has happened, nothing should change for the Cubs' deadline plans.

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