Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman denied suggestions the reigning MLB champions are ruining the game after pulling off another blockbuster trade that further strengthens their case for a three-peat. The Dodgers, who are 69-43 on the season and atop the National League West, moved to bolster their already formidable pitching corps by acquiring Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers ahead of todays trade deadline.Skubal is arguably the best starter in the game right now after four dominant years in Detroit and moves to California with a 2.79ERA in 16 starts this season.His arrival shifts the balance of power even further in the Dodgers direction and threatens to make it a one-horse race in the battle for the World Series.It also enhances claims for MLB to introduce a salary cap for the first time since 1994.Table of ContentsDodgers chief targets another World Series after signing SkubalSkubal signing was too good to overlook for the DodgersDodgers chief targets another World Series after signing SkubalSkubals move to the West Coast has infuriated the rest of baseball but Friedman rubbished the notion it is spoiling the game.Passionately disagree, he said in comments reported by ESPN. Its special and were not going to be flippant about this moment in time and how special this group, this era can be in the history of this incredibly storied organisation. Were going to do everything we can to keep doing what we can to win the last game of the year.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts echoed Friedmans thoughts, adding: It just seems like theres always blowback with us. People are passionate. We feel good about it. Theres nothing that we did that no one else couldnt have done. I just love our front office. We have to have the players to go pull something like this off, and weve still got, you know, arguably the top one or two or three farm systems in baseball. So its a credit to a lot of people in this organisation.Skubal signing was too good to overlook for the DodgersThe Dodgers gave up three prospects in return for 29-year-old Skubal outfielder Zyhir Hope and starting pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith.Friedman says the 2024 and 2025 champions were being selective in who they wanted to bring in but felt getting a pitcher of Skubals quality was an opportunity they could not overlook.I dont think we went into this thing saying this is an acute need, Friedman said of the starting rotation. But as weve talked about a lot, whenever theres a star-level player that is available that can really shift championship odds, those are the moments that well be more aggressive.Weve tried other instances and not lined up and others where we have. But I think being by the backboard and doing everything we can to put ourselves in the best position, with the core we have right now, with the way they go about their preparation to do everything they can to win a championship when we can add to that, and enhance our chances, were going to be aggressive to do so.Skubal is expected to make his Dodgers debut against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Topics Los Angeles Dodgers Tarik Skubal Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Angels vs Yankees, Mets vs Dodgers, full MLB scores and standings as Aaron Judge calls win wild Ben Miller 14th April, 2026 Edwin Diaz: Ex-Mets pitcher agrees $69m contract with reigning MLB champions Dodgers Ben Miller 10th December, 2025 MLB: All-Star DH Kyle Schwarber Returning To The Phillies On A Five-Year, $150M Deal Matthew Gideon 9th December, 2025 MLB World Series: LA Dodgers force Game 7 after chaotic clash with Toronto Blue Jays Mitch Fretton 1st November, 2025 Record-breaking Yesavage puts Toronto Blue Jays on brink of World Series glory Jon Fisher 30th October, 2025 MLB playoff round-up: Ohtani puts LA Dodgers in control but New York Yankees one defeat from elimination Jon Fisher 1st October, 2025
