The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired Tarik Skubal, the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, from the Detroit Tigers. The trade occurred Saturday night as the Tigers played against the Athletics in an 8-6 win. Skubal expressed mixed emotions after learning about the trade, as he leaves the franchise that drafted him in 2018.
“I’m excited to be a Dodger,” Skubal stated. “Joining a team chasing three consecutive championships is an incredible opportunity. But leaving the team that developed me has prompted a flood of emotions.”
Skubal joins a star-studded Dodgers roster, which includes notable players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Mookie Betts. Assuming good health, Skubal could pitch alongside other MLB stars such as Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. The Dodgers currently lead the majors with a 3.36 ERA from starting pitchers, and Skubal will bolster this rotation further. The Dodgers, who sit atop the NL West, aim to secure their third consecutive World Series title, a feat not achieved since the New York Yankees’ run from 1998 to 2000.
The Dodgers began the season with an opening-day payroll of $323.3 million and a $163.7 million tax, tallying a total of $487.1 million. The Dodgers will pay Skubal approximately $9.5 million for the remainder of the season. According to ESPN, the Tigers will receive three minor league prospects in the deal: right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith, and outfielder Zyhir Hope.
Skubal is eligible for free agency after the World Series, holding a $32 million arbitration record salary. Despite the trade, he mentioned his desire to finish the season with the Tigers, who haven’t claimed a World Series since 1984. The 29-year-old pitcher had an impactful postseason history with the Tigers, experiencing both a crucial loss to Cleveland in the 2024 division series and a no-decision in a 15-inning defeat by Seattle the following year.
In response to his past postseason experiences, Skubal remarked, “After the ’24 Game 5, the disappointment I felt drove me to push harder. The goal was always to deliver a World Series for Detroit, a city and team that believed in me. Leaving my teammates and friends is challenging.”
The Detroit Tigers had intended to compete strongly this season, reinforcing their rotation by signing two-time All-Star pitcher Framber Valdez to a $115 million contract and retaining infielder Gleyber Torres with $22 million. Though off to a rocky start, the Tigers rebounded in June, thanks in part to Skubal’s leadership and strong performances from rookie infielder Kevin McGonigle, catcher Dillon Dingler, and outfielder Riley Greene.
However, the team’s standing faltered following a series of losses, which included an unforgettable late-inning game on Skubal’s last start with the team. The Tigers led Baltimore 7-0 after six innings but ultimately lost 10-9 after 12 innings, despite Skubal reaching his 1,000th career strikeout in front of a supportive crowd of 34,406.
Manager A.J. Hinch praised Skubal, saying, “I’ve watched Skubal rise to the top. I am deeply grateful for his contributions to this organization and our playoff teams. His work ethic and dominance made a lasting impact.”
Statistically, Skubal has achieved a 7-5 record this season with a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 96 2/3 innings. Over seven seasons, his record stands at 61-42 with a 3.04 ERA, all with Detroit. In postseason play, Skubal is 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA in six starts.
Earlier this year, Skubal underwent surgery to address a pitching elbow issue, returning successfully by June 13. “The surgery went as expected,” he confirmed in July, continuing his commitment to his sport.
AP Sports Writer Larry Lage contributed to this report
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