Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal probably knew he wouldn’t finish the 2026 season with the Detroit Tigers. He still wishes he didn’t have to say goodbye to the Motor City.
On Saturday night, the Tigers sent Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith and outfielder Zyhir Hope. The deal became official on Sunday morning. Skubal reacted to the trade during a teary-eyed news conference.
Tarik Skubal reacts to Dodgers trade
“It’s crazy,” Skubal said (h/t Field Level Media). “Going into this season, this isn’t what I planned on doing. But circumstances change, situations change.”
It became apparent that Skubal would likely leave Detroit after the team refused to sign him to a long-term contract this offseason. He signed a one-year, $32M deal and earned the right to enter free agency following this season after winning his arbitration case.