The Detroit Tigers traded left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 2, receiving outfielder Zyhir Hope, right-handed starting pitcher River Ryan, and right-handed starting pitcher Brady Smith in return, according to Sports Illustrated.
According to MLB Pipeline, it was the first trade since at least 2004 in which a team acquired two top-100 prospects for a player approaching free agency. Of the three players sent to Detroit, Hope and Ryan stood closest to Major League readiness, while Smith joined the organization as a younger arm for development.
Ryan joined the Tigers organization while recovering from a hamstring strain and a missed 2025 season following Tommy John surgery. After two abbreviated starts for Triple-A Toledo, he debuted for Detroit on September 21 by throwing three scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals, Sports Illustrated reported.
He allowed two runs over 1.1 innings in his second start, finishing with six strikeouts across 4.1 Major League innings. If Ryan extends his workload and demonstrates durability in spring training, he could contend for a spot in the 2027 starting rotation alongside Reese Olson.
Hope split his 124 Double-A games between both organizations, finishing the year with a .287/.367/.513 slash line, 29 home runs, and 26 stolen bases. After the trade, he hit .269/.360/.462 with six home runs across 30 games for Erie and earned an Arizona Fall League Fall Stars selection, though the Tigers planned to conclude his workload in October.
Smith posted a 4.24 ERA with 118 strikeouts and 34 walks across 80.2 innings over three minor league affiliates. After returning from an injury sustained with High-A West Michigan, the 21-year-old pitcher enters the offseason looking to refine his fastball command and changeup.
