Tarik Skubal, two-time winner of the American League Cy Young Award, officially left the Detroit Tigers to become a new pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a move that was marked by an emotional farewell from the left-hander, who could not hold back tears when talking about the organization that launched his career.
The American pitcher received the news during Saturday's game against the Oakland Athletics, when he was in the team's clubhouse. Minutes later, the exchange began to spread and ended up confirming one of the most important movements in the MLB transfer market.
Tarik Skubal received the news in the middle of the game
After finishing his work, Tarik Skubal headed to the clubhouse as part of his usual routine. However, one phone call completely changed the course of the night.
“The walk to the clubhouse was very normal,” Skubal said after the game, following the news that he had been traded to the Dodgers in exchange for three prospects. “Normally, I come in, do some things, move around a little bit, and get some treatment.”
Shortly after, the call came confirming his departure from the Tigers.
“I thought, ‘I know what this is about,'” he said. “And it didn't seem like the right time to go out on the field again.”
While the game was still being played, reports began to circulate about the trade that would send the pitcher to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for prospects Zyhir Hope, River Ryan and Brady Smith.
Skubal's farewell moved Detroit
When remembering his time in the organization, Tarik Skubal spoke with obvious emotion and thanked the trust he received since he was selected in the 2018 Draft, when he arrived from Seattle University.
"I'm very grateful for everything the Tigers did for me. Drafting me in 2018, giving a guy from a small college a chance, and putting all the resources at my disposal... Everything has always been there for me. They always had answers and a plan for me; so, yes, I feel like I've lived a lot and been through quite a few failures early in my career, but this club never stopped believing in me. They kept sending me out to pitch every five days, even when I probably didn't deserve it. “It’s something I will never take for granted.”
The left-hander also acknowledged that his goal was always to win a World Series with Detroit, a goal that he will no longer be able to pursue with the organization.
“Since that failure in the fifth game of 2024, I have used that as motivation to bring a World Series to the city of Detroit,” he said. "I really was. That whole offseason I never felt more motivated; and then coming in and losing Game 5 again, that failure sparked even more of a desire to push myself as hard as I could and see how far I could really go. The goal was always to win a World Series for the city and for the organization that bet on me."
The Dodgers add one of the great figures of the MLB
The transfer represents a coup of authority for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who incorporate one of the most dominant pitchers in the Major Leagues and one of the most coveted pieces on the market.
Before the transfer deadline, Tarik Skubal's name constantly appeared among the possible candidates to change teams. His contractual situation and the performance of the Detroit Tigers during the season ended up opening the door to negotiation.
Tarik Skubal did not hide his excitement about arriving in Los Angeles
Although the farewell was full of feelings, the new Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher acknowledged that he is also looking forward to the next chapter of his career.
“It's crazy,” Skubal said. "Coming into the season, this wasn't what I had planned. But circumstances change, situations change."
At the end of the conference, when he was questioned about his arrival to the Dodgers, the pitcher paused to hold back tears before answering.
“It's hard,” he said, his voice breaking. "I love everyone in there so much. They are some of my best friends."
She looked up, held back tears and said, “I'm sorry,” followed by 13 seconds of silence.
“Yes, it's exciting,” he said. “I'm excited.”
