The Los Angeles Dodgers have once again landed one of baseball's biggest stars, acquiring back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. While blockbuster trades almost always generate debate, this one warrants heavy criticism given what Detroit received in return.
On paper, the Tigers added talented prospects. But when the best pitcher in baseball changes teams, the expectation is that the return should be overwhelming. Instead, it is pretty clear that Detroit settled for far less than they could have received and MLB got exactly what they wanted.
For MLB, Skubal ending up in a huge market on a team trying to be the first 3-peat champions since the 1998-2000 Yankees strengthens the owners' stance that a salary cap is needed in baseball.
MORE: One player every MLB team will trade at the 2026 trade deadline
Mar 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Zyhir Hope against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
#tigers
On paper, the Tigers added talented prospects. But when the best pitcher in baseball changes teams, the expectation is that the return should be overwhelming. Instead, it is pretty clear that Detroit settled for far less than they could have received and MLB got exactly what they wanted.
For MLB, Skubal ending up in a huge market on a team trying to be the first 3-peat champions since the 1998-2000 Yankees strengthens the owners' stance that a salary cap is needed in baseball.
MORE: One player every MLB team will trade at the 2026 trade deadline
Mar 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Zyhir Hope against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
#tigers
3 months ago
