​Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning in game two of the Division Series at T-Mobile Park on October 05, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: (L-R) President, Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and Executive Vice President & General Manager Brandon Gomes of the Los Angeles Dodgers look on during the ring ceremony before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 30: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) GettyThe Los Angeles Dodgers did not simply win the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes. According to The Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh, the rest of Major League Baseball allowed them to win it.Lindbergh argued that rival contenders had a genuine opportunity to prevent the two-time defending World Series champions from adding the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. Unlike a free-agent pursuit, Skubal could not steer himself toward Los Angeles because he had no no-trade clause. His remaining 2026 salary, estimated at roughly $10 million, also was manageable for a serious contender.That left one requirement: present the Detroit Tigers with a better prospect package than the Dodgers did.Read More From HeavyHere’s When Tarik Skubal Will Make His Los Angeles Dodgers DebutOther Contenders Would Not Match Dodgers’ AggressionGetty(L-R) President, Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and Executive Vice President & General Manager Brandon Gomes of the Los Angeles Dodgers look on during the ring ceremony before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)Los Angeles sent outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith to Detroit. MLB Pipeline ranked Hope No. 25 and Ryan No. 68 among baseball’s top prospects, while Smith ranked No. 17 in the Dodgers’ system.It was a meaningful return for a rental, but not an untouchable one. The Dodgers kept their active roster intact and held onto pitchers Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski, along with premier outfield prospect Josue De Paula.The Ringer noted that the Brewers and Rays possessed the prospect depth to beat the offer. MLB.com identified Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, the Yankees, Braves and Dodgers among the interested clubs before the deal. Yet no suitor convinced Detroit to turn elsewhere.“The Dodgers anted up and pushed their prospect chips in while the rest of the league let them,” Lindbergh wrote.That distinction matters. The Dodgers’ financial power remains a substantial advantage, but money alone did not decide this trade. Rival front offices made the same calculation