Sources: Dodgers finalize deal to acquire Skubal
The first-place Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a trade to acquire two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, 29, from the Tigers, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Saturday, sending Zyhir Hope, River Ryan and Brady Smith to Detroit.
The Los Angeles Dodgers just got a whole lot stronger with the addition of Tarik Skubal, a dominant left-handed pitcher who's been mashing it for the Detroit Tigers. This move is a clear signal that the Dodgers are going all-in on their championship aspirations, and it's hard to blame them - they're currently sitting in first place and have a legitimate shot at making a deep postseason run. Skubal's impressive resume, including two American League Cy Young Awards, makes him a formidable addition to an already-stacked Dodgers rotation.
The Dodgers had to give up some promising young talent to make this deal happen, with Zyhir Hope, River Ryan, and Brady Smith heading to Detroit in exchange for Skubal. While it's never easy to part with talented prospects, the Dodgers are clearly betting that Skubal's prime years will help them make a serious push for a World Series title. It's also worth noting that the Tigers, who have been rebuilding for a while now, are getting some valuable assets to help them build for the future.
So what's next for the Dodgers and Skubal? We want to see how he meshes with his new teammates and how the Dodgers' rotation shakes out with him on board. Can Skubal help the Dodgers make a deep postseason run, or will they ultimately come up short? We'll also be keeping an eye on the Tigers, who are clearly building towards something with this deal - how quickly can they turn things around and become a competitive force in the American League again?
Originally reported by espn.com. SportsNewsletter adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.