Tarik Skubal dismisses outrage over joining Los Angeles Dodgers with blunt message to fans

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When the Los Angeles Dodgers landed Tarik Skubal at the 2026 trade deadline, baseball's usual chorus fired up on cue: the Dodgers are ruining the sport.

The newest ace in Dodger blue, however, isn't buying it.

Speaking to the media Monday while the Dodgers were on the road, Skubal had a message for everyone: Don't blame Los Angeles for trying to win.

DODGERS REPORTEDLY ACQUIRE ACE TARIK SKUBAL FROM TIGERS IN TRADE THAT STIRS UP MLB WORLD

"Every team could trade for me," Skubal said.

"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."

Tarik Skubal of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on in the dugout against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Getty Images)

Fresh off back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards in 2024 and 2025, the elite left-hander arrives in Los Angeles with a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts through 16 starts this season.

After watching Sunday's game from the Dodger Stadium dugout in his new threads, Skubal is slated to make his Dodgers debut Tuesday at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. He knows what winning looks like, and he sees nothing wrong with the Dodgers' approach.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal greets teammate center fielder Andy Pages during the eighth inning of an MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Tarik Skubal of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks