The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a significant move in Major League Baseball by acquiring pitcher Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers ahead of Monday’s trade deadline. This deal has caused quite a stir in the league, particularly among fans of the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs.
Tigers fans are upset over losing their back-to-back Cy Young winner. However, Cubs supporters are also frustrated, as their team appeared to be a contender for Skubal during early trade talks. Chicago’s rotation faced numerous injuries in 2026, yet they led the National League Wild Card race.
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 29, 2026. (Photo by Izzy Rincon/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Acquiring Skubal, despite his impending free agency, could have positioned the Cubs as a leading contender against the Dodgers. Cubs President of Baseball Operations, Jed Hoyer, expressed this sentiment during a news conference at Wrigley Field. Instead, the Dodgers have strengthened their roster as the postseason approaches, leaving the Cubs unable to secure Skubal, inadvertently aiding Los Angeles.
Chicago Cubs President Jed Hoyer answers questions during a news conference at Wrigley Field on Oct. 15, 2025. (Photo by Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
In exchange for Skubal, the Dodgers traded prospects Zyhir Hope, River Ryan, and Brady Smith to the Tigers. Hope, a top-rated prospect, initially joined the Cubs as the 11th overall pick in the 2023 draft. He later moved to the Dodgers in a trade involving first baseman Michael Busch.
Michael Busch of the Chicago Cubs reacts in a game against the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field on July 21, 2026. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)
Busch has been a reliable player for the Cubs in his third season with the team. However, the inclusion of a former Cubs prospect in the Dodgers’ trade for Skubal highlights how Chicago’s former assets could inadvertently strengthen their rivals.
Adding to the Cubs’ potential frustration, Skubal might debut for the Dodgers during a three-game series in Chicago starting Monday.
By acquiring Skubal, the Dodgers aim to maintain their position as MLB’s leading team.