Dodgers Fans Excited Over Will Smith Catching Tarik Skubal in WBC

The pairing of the Dodgers catcher and the Tigers pitcher has fueled speculation about a potential trade.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Dodgers fans are buzzing after seeing that catcher Will Smith is receiving pitches from Tigers ace Tarik Skubal in the World Baseball Classic. This has led to speculation that the Dodgers could pursue a trade for Skubal, who is set to become a free agent after the 2027 season. While Skubal has said there are no contract extension talks with the Tigers, some analysts remain skeptical that Los Angeles will be able to acquire him.

Why it matters

The potential pairing of Smith and Skubal on the Dodgers has captured the imagination of the team's fanbase, who are eager to see the team bolster its pitching rotation with an elite arm like Skubal's. However, the Tigers are reluctant to part with their star pitcher, making a trade difficult.

The details

Skubal, a two-time AL Cy Young award winner, has said there have been no contract extension talks with the Tigers and that he will wait until the end of the season to address his future. This has fueled speculation that he could be traded, with the Dodgers emerging as a potential landing spot given their need for starting pitching and the connection with catcher Will Smith in the WBC.

  • Skubal and Smith are playing together for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The players

Will Smith

A catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is playing for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Tarik Skubal

A starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers who is also playing for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Skubal is a two-time AL Cy Young award winner and is set to become a free agent after the 2027 season.

Tom Verducci

A Sports Illustrated writer who has expressed skepticism about the Dodgers' ability to trade for Tarik Skubal, citing how much he means to the Tigers.

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What they’re saying

“Skubal pitching to Will Smith we getting a early 2027 preview y'all lol”

— daip (X (formerly Twitter)

“Will Smith catching Tarik, eh?”

— Lindsay Adams (X (formerly Twitter)

“And there won't be an offer until the end of the season. My focus is on playing baseball and winning this year. I'll deal with the contract stuff at the end of the year, and then we'll kind of see. And that's fine. It's their decision.”

— Tarik Skubal (USA Today)

“I've never really bought into that possibility, only because of how much he means to Detroit. The Dodgers do their due diligence. We all know that. And I think Tarik Skubal likely is not going to resign with the Tigers.”

— Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated Writer (Dodgers Nation)

What’s next

The Dodgers will continue to monitor Skubal's situation with the Tigers, but a trade may be difficult to pull off given Detroit's reluctance to part with their star pitcher.

The takeaway

While Dodgers fans are excited at the prospect of Skubal joining the team, the reality is that the Tigers are unlikely to trade their ace unless they are blown away by an offer. The connection between Skubal and Dodgers catcher Will Smith in the WBC has only heightened the speculation, but a deal may not materialize unless Skubal indicates he will not re-sign with Detroit.