Tarik Skubal, the reigning two-time Cy Young Award winner, addressed the media for the first time as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, speaking about his blockbuster trade from the Detroit Tigers and the ongoing criticism of his new team's spending habits.
"There's a lot of emotion," Skubal said Monday in Chicago. "I spent eight years with the Detroit Tigers, and that place will always be special to me no matter what. But in the same breath, I'm excited to be here, I'm excited to compete with these guys."
Skubal, acquired by the Dodgers on Saturday night, expressed his eagerness to join a team he respects for how they play the game and their consistent focus on winning championships. He aims to contribute to the Dodgers' quest for a third consecutive World Series title.
"That pressure has always been a privilege to me," Skubal stated. "It's what fuels me. It's motivates me to be great."
As a late-blooming ninth-round draft pick who has ascended to become arguably the most dominant pitcher in baseball, Skubal acknowledged the increasing scrutiny that comes with joining a high-profile franchise like the Dodgers. The trade has reignited discussions about competitive balance in Major League Baseball and the Dodgers' financial advantages.
When asked about public criticisms regarding his move and the Dodgers' perceived dominance, Skubal expressed no sympathy for those who point fingers at the Los Angeles organization. "I don't really sympathize with people that blame the Dodgers for anything they've done," he said. "They've developed a really good organization. They draft well. They acquire talent really well. They retain talent. It's a winning organization."
He argued that the current complaints seem to stem from the Dodgers' recent success, noting that perceptions may have differed before their consecutive World Series wins. "I don't think it was like that three years ago," Skubal added. "So I don't really sympathize with people that are complaining. Because the Dodgers do all the right things."
Los Angeles has a history of acquiring star players, and Skubal was a prime target at this year's trade deadline. With his upcoming free agency this offseason, speculation exists about a potential record-setting contract to keep him in Los Angeles.
"I'm really not gonna talk about the business side of what's happening with me," Skubal said when questioned about his free agency and the Dodgers' potential advantage. "Obviously, I understand free agency. But I'd really like the message to be just, I'm excited to be here and learn everything about the Dodgers and all these guys here."
Skubal is set to make his Dodgers debut on Tuesday. He plans to work closely with the pitching coaches and catchers to develop a game plan, expressing enthusiasm for the collaborative process.
"I'm going to get with the pitching coaches and catcher and kind of go over a plan of scouting, what I like to do, what they like to call, all that stuff," he said. "I'm very excited about going over all that and getting ready to go out there and compete."
Despite his significant acquisition, Skubal downplayed the notion that he is the sole missing piece for the Dodgers' championship aspirations. "They've been a pretty good baseball team without me," he quipped.
He expressed a desire to integrate seamlessly into the clubhouse culture and align his goals with the team's pursuit of a World Series title, which would be his first. "I'm excited to lean on these guys and learn the game of baseball and what it takes to win a World Series," Skubal said. "I'm excited about all that stuff, so it's extremely motivating for me."