Tarik Skubal reacts to trade from Tigers to Dodgers

Tarik Skubal. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

'This isn't what I planned': Tarik Skubal reacts to trade from Tigers to Dodgers

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 2, 2026 1:29 PM ET

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.

Tarik Skubal got emotional speaking about being traded to the Dodgers pic.twitter.com/ZsHLFWZtdK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 2, 2026

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handed pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 2, 2026

The Tigers may regret not paying Skubal even more if the prospects they landed in the trade turn out to be duds. He has once again been money this season after winning his second consecutive American League Cy Young award in 2025. Entering Sunday, he had a 7-5 record, a 2.79 ERA, 116 strikeouts and 0.91 WHIP in 96.2 innings pitched.

Though his time with the Tigers isn't ending the way he had envisioned, Skubal didn't bash the organization. The former Seattle Redhawks star thanked the team for selecting him in the ninth round of the 2018 MLB Draft and helping him grow into one of the premier arms in baseball.

"The goal was always to win a World Series for the organization, the city that took a chance on me," Skubal said. "It's tough. I love all those guys in there. They're some of my best friends."

Skubal then clarified he's "excited" to join the Dodgers and potentially make history. L.A. is aiming to become the first team to win three straight World Series titles since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees. The thrill of that feat would help the star pitcher recuperate from not delivering Detroit its first championship since 1984.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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