It'd be interesting to go back and compare with CC, that's the clear analog here. Yes, Brantley had a good career, but would you take back that trade? I bet most everyone says no, that was legendary.
LA showed us what having a shutdown pitching staff can do. This year could be the same thing all over again. Maybe Woodruff will be ok, but Skubal is the type of talent that should make one think seriously about it, and the fact that the system is so stacked should make it even more palatable to do so.
Is it going to hurt? Of course. There would probably be someone going back who will have 3-5+ years of success. Otherwise why would Detroit do it? I tend to lean more "bites" than "all-in" approach philosophically, but that three-headed monster in October would be awfully compelling.
Ultimately I'll trust that Arnold isn't going to do something stupid, and if he doesn't pull the trigger, it's because the asking price was crazy. If he does, then I'll enjoy the heck out of it.