The Los Angeles Dodgers have added ace pitcher Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. This move has created waves across Major League Baseball before the trade deadline on Monday. While fans in Detroit are upset over losing Skubal, it is Chicago Cubs fans who are notably frustrated. The Cubs, plagued by injuries in their starting rotation, had a solid chance of landing Skubal during early trade talks. Despite these issues, they still hold the lead in the National League Wild Card race.
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, photographed during a game at Comerica Park on July 29, 2026. (Izzy Rincon/MLB Photos/Getty Images)
Acquiring Skubal could have bolstered the Cubs’ standing as a top contender in the National League, even as he approaches free agency. Cubs President Jed Hoyer had hopes of strengthening the team, but the Dodgers’ successful trade now positions them better for the postseason. The consequences are even more apparent considering Chicago’s previous connection to one of the prospects, Zyhir Hope, involved in the trade to Detroit.
The Dodgers traded prospects Hope, River Ryan, and Brady Smith for Skubal. Hope, highly rated, was originally drafted by the Cubs in 2023. However, he was traded to the Dodgers in 2024, facilitating a move that brought first baseman Michael Busch to Chicago. Busch has become a crucial player for the Cubs, yet the loss of Hope has inadvertently assisted the Dodgers.
Compounding the situation, Skubal’s potential debut as a Dodger might occur when the Dodgers face the Cubs in a three-game series in Chicago starting Monday. The timing is less than ideal for Cubs fans hoping to see their team advance further in the playoffs. Mark Harris from OutKick reports on how these developments affect the Cubs and the broader MLB landscape.
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