Tarik Skubal’s brief time in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform has already taken an unexpected turn, and Detroit Tigers fans are watching with a mixture of vindication and residual emotion.
Traded just a week ago to the defending World Series champions in exchange for outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith, Skubal arrived in Los Angeles only to find the club in the middle of a seven-game skid.
His first start, a loss to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in which he allowed two runs on four hits, did little to ease the transition.
What truly stirred conversation, however, were Skubal’s remarks on Barstool’s “Pardon My Take” podcast. Speaking openly about his future, the left-hander made clear that Detroit remains close to his heart.
“I would love to play my whole career in Detroit,” Skubal said. “I would love to. And hopefully those negotiations pick back up in November once the playoffs are done. And we’ll see where that goes. Hopefully they’re involved with everything, I would love to return. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the City of Detroit and the manager, the coaching, the staff, the trainers, the teammates, it’s tough. And I’m going to try not to cry right now, but I love all those guys. So hopefully they’re involved in November and we’ll see what happens then.”
Dodgers fans understandablty weren’t too thrilled with Skubal’s remarks, and the comments also drew responses from Tigers supporters, many of whom felt the words rang hollow given the circumstances of the trade.
“Tigers fan here. This is why MANY of us don’t care for him anymore. He talks from both ends. Your problem now,” one wrote.
Another offered a pointed jab at Skubal’s typical workload: “enjoy your 6 innings every outing. Might get 7 in an elimination game.”
A third continued in the same vein, saying, “If you hate his words wait until you can’t get him off the pine for the 7th inning in a playoff game.”
Still another observed, “You’ll find he’s not real good at focusing when he’s off the mound.”
Not every reaction focused solely on the pitcher. Some placed responsibility on the agent who represents him. “Tigers fan here as well. We didnt dump skubal we dumped our crazy mother in law (boras). Boras was never letting skubal stay in detroit because LA will always pay more and thats what boras wants,” one supporter explained.
As the Dodgers try to steady themselves and Skubal settles into a new clubhouse, the possibility of a free-agent reunion with Detroit next winter now hangs in the air.
Whether those talks materialize will depend on many factors, but the early reactions from Tigers fans make one thing plain: the relationship between the ace and the city he left behind is more complicated than a simple expression of affection suggests.
