When the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired elite left-hander Tarik Skubal at the 2026 trade deadline, criticism quickly arose accusing the Dodgers of "ruining the sport." Skubal, fresh off winning back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025, responded bluntly to the backlash during a Monday media session while the Dodgers were on the road.

"I don't sympathize with people that blame the Dodgers for anything they've done. It's a winning org... I really don't sympathize with people that are complaining because the Dodgers do all the right things," Skubal said.

Skubal arrived in Los Angeles boasting a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts through 16 starts this season. After observing Sunday's game from the Dodger Stadium dugout, he is scheduled to make his Dodgers debut Tuesday, August 5th, 2026, at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs.

Despite the usual criticism that follows the Dodgers' aggressive roster moves, Skubal urged fans not to fault the team for striving to win.

Sources