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The GIST: <\/strong>Tonight\u2019s 6 p.m. ET MLB Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching, but the biggest blockbuster is already in the books: Ace pitcher Tarik Skubal is heading to the LA Dodgers, a move that will have an immediate impact on the playoff race\u2026and perhaps lasting consequences on the future of the league. *gulps*<\/em><\/p>\n \ud83e\udd1d The move: <\/strong>With their postseason hopes dwindling, the Detroit Tigers sent two-time Cy Young winner Skubal to the two-time defending champ Dodgers in exchange for three of LA\u2019s top prospects. Plenty of teams hoped to pick up the stalwart southpaw at the deadline, but it\u2019s not surprising<\/a> the three-peat favorite Dodgers landed him. The rich get richer.<\/p>\n \ud83d\ude2c Why it matters: <\/strong>Not only does the trade make the stacked Dodgers even better, it\u2019s stoked fears of a lockout ahead of the 2027 season. The current collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1st, and the players\u2019 association and owners are at odds over the implementation of a salary cap, a rule that would limit LA\u2019s high spending.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc40 More trades to come: <\/strong>The wheeling and dealing<\/a> accelerated yesterday, with even more moves expected before the clock strikes 6 p.m. ET tonight. With Skubal off the board and starting pitching a hot commodity, watch for other top hurlers<\/a> to move, including NY Met Clay Holmes and San Francisco Giant Robbie Ray.<\/p>\n\n
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