Skubal defends Dodgers trade, rejects sympathy for critics
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- Tarik Skubal said at Wrigley Field he doesn't "sympathize" with critics of his trade to the Dodgers, adding that the franchise "drafts well, acquires talent really well, retains talent," and noting that complaints only intensified after back-to-back World Series titles.
- The acquisition lands in the middle of baseball's labor fight: owners want a salary cap, the MLBPA continues to fight one, and the source says cries to "distribute great players all over the league" will persist as the Dodgers keep signing and trading for stars.
- Skubal joins a banged-up Dodgers rotation where Shohei Ohtani (knee), Blake Snell (elbow) and Tyler Glasnow (back) are sidelined, while Justin Wrobleski and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have already helped the club build a hefty NL West lead.
- Skubal's first Dodgers start is scheduled for Tuesday at Wrigley Field against the Cubs, and he was seen huddling with coaches and other pitchers on the outfield grass Monday to acclimate to his new club.
- Skubal said a 10-9 Tigers loss Wednesday felt like "the end" of his Detroit tenure, but he called his eight years with the Tigers something "will always be special" even as he opens a chase for his first championship.
- On a roster packed with All-Stars and World Series veterans, Skubal described himself as a "chameleon" planning to "stare" at teammates during routines, joking that he may "seem a little weird" while learning how the Dodgers prepare.
Why it matters: Skubal's arrival hands the two-time defending champion Dodgers arguably the game's best pitcher right as the franchise becomes Exhibit A in the league's salary cap argument with the MLBPA — strengthening owners' case that star talent is concentrating on a few clubs and putting the union on the defensive as the next CBA window approaches.
