Plane flies anti-Dodgers banner before Tarik Skubal's debut

Tarik Skubal. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Plane flies anti-Dodgers banner over Wrigley Field before Tarik Skubal's debut vs. Cubs

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 4, 2026 8:18 PM ET

Many believe the Los Angeles Dodgers are ruining baseball, especially after they recently acquired star pitcher Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. Some feel so strongly that they have taken to the skies.

Plane flying over Wrigley Field makes feelings about Tarik Skubal trade clear

The Chicago Cubs hosted the Dodgers at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night in a tilt that was set to be Skubal's debut for L.A. A plane that flew overhead with a banner may have drawn just as much attention (or even more) than the pitcher.

"The Dodgers ruined baseball," the sign appeared to say, per The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya.

Many feel the Dodgers' willingness to spend big on star players is a negative for the sport. They didn't even truly need two-time American League Cy Young winner Skubal. L.A.'s roster already featured designated hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani and first baseman Freddie Freeman. Skubal recently pushed back on the narrative.

A sign is flying overhead at Wrigley Field. Looks like it’s supposed to say: “The Dodgers ruined baseball.” pic.twitter.com/mgFwxexT2p
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 4, 2026

"Every team could trade for me. Every team could make that acquisition," Skubal said. "I don't really sympathize with people that blame the Dodgers for anything they've done. They've developed a really good organization, they draft well, they acquire talent really well, they retain talent. It's a winning organization.

"Now the complaints seem to be because they've won the last two World Series. I don't think it was like that three years ago. So, I don't really sympathize with people that complain, because the Dodgers do all the right things."

People wouldn't be complaining about the Dodgers (69-44 entering Tuesday) if they weren't winning championships. The New York Mets (47-66) have the highest payroll in baseball ($316.19M) ahead of the Dodgers ($312.69M). No one is whining about them.

Saying the Dodgers do all the "right things," though, is a bit of a stretch. The team doesn't break the rules, but it does bend them.

The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy in June 2011. Major League Baseball subsequently allowed them to pay significantly less on their local TV tax than other teams because of their financial troubles at that time. That has added up, as L.A. keeps approximately $66M per year more than it would if it were taxed normally, giving it more financial freedom, which it has used to land top players. This agreement lasts until 2039, when L.A.'s local TV deal ends.

For more context on the Dodgers having the $$ to trade for Tarik Skubal ⬇️ https://t.co/LS3QOlDfdF
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) August 2, 2026

The Dodgers' spending has led to more calls for a salary cap in baseball, which players don't want. It's believed that the debate over this topic will lead to a lockout after the CBA (collective bargaining agreement) between the players and league expires on Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

"The Dodgers are ruining baseball crowd" may have a point.

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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