The Tarik Skubal sweepstakes have officially ended with the Los Angeles Dodgers making a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Tigers to acquire the ace. 

With a crowded rotation now, what does this mean for Eric Lauer? Even with injuries to Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani, they are all nearing returns. That will change the rotation, especially once the postseason rolls in. 

But for now, the projected rotation will potentially consist of Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Justin Wrobleski, Emmet Sheehan and Roki Sasaki/Eric Lauer. 

Despite Lauer putting up impressive numbers with a 5-0 record and a 2.96 ERA, his role will likely change. Lauer could be moved into the bullpen or a swing role, which is a role that he is not fond of. When Lauer was shifted to this role with the Toronto Blue Jays, it brought on a lot of frustrations for the 31-year-old. 

The Eric Lauer saga continues

The Dodgers have some tough decisions to make with Lauer once they get their elite arms back in the rotation. Even before the two-time AL Cy Young winner Skubal was acquired, rumors flew about Lauer potentially being traded, and this could very well still be on the table. 

"Oh, my wife hates it. No, I mean, it's something that I was aware of coming over here that it might be like a rental thing...See a need, fill a need kind of thing. But I mean, I love it here. I think I'm thriving here, as far as I can tell," Lauer commented about the trade rumors on July 30.

Lauer has inevitably relished being a Dodger, and he owns a flawless 9-0 record when he pitches. But with so many established starters in the rotation, Lauer's role changing or being traded is out of his control. 

If Lauer is shifted to the bullpen or pitches as a long reliever, will he accept his role or hold onto the same hatred of the role that he did with the Blue Jays? The Dodgers have helped Lauer overcome his struggles, and he has, in fact, loosened his strings and been more flexible with his role.