Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Less than 15 minutes after the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a second consecutive loss to the Boston Red Sox, they stole the trade deadline spotlight yet again by reaching an agreement to acquire Tarik Skubal.
According to multiple reports, the Detroit Tigers are set to receive prospects River Ryan, Zyhir Hope and Brady Smith.
Tarik Skubal’s emotional reaction to Dodgers trade
While the Dodgers had already finished their home game when reports of the trade surfaced, the Tigers were still in the midst of playing the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. Skubal made his way from the dugout to the clubhouse late in the game, when he learned of the trade.
“There was a time where I got a phone call and I was like, ‘I know what this is,’” he said on Detroit SportsNet. “Didn’t feel like it was the right time to go back out there.”
Skubal is now joining a new organization for the first time since being drafted by the Tigers in the ninth round in 2018. The change naturally comes with raw emotions.
“It’s crazy. Going into the season this isn’t what I planned on doing. But circumstances change, situations change. I’m very appreciative of everything the Tigers have done for me,” Skubal said. “Just drafting me in 2018, giving a kid a chance out of a small school, giving me every resource to use. Everything has always been at my disposal. Whatever I want, they’ve always had answers or a plan for me.
“I feel like I’ve experienced a lot, kind of gone through the ups and downs, and gone through a lot of failure early in my career and this club never stopped believing in me; kept throwing me out there every fifth day when I probably didn’t deserve to be. That’s something that I’ll never take for granted. The fans supported me and my family everywhere I go. I’ve always truly appreciated that. It means a lot more than they probably get credit for.”
Although the 29-year-old has fond memories in Detroit and was saddened to a certain degree, he is also looking forward to joining the Dodgers.
“At this time I’m excited to be a Dodger. I’m excited to get down there and meet all those guys, chase three championships in a row,” Skubal said. “It’s hard to do, so I’m excited to be a part of that. But it’s a lot of different emotions. Definitely kind of a rollercoaster a little bit.”
Skubal went on to reflect on consecutive eliminations in the American League Division Series as providing added motivation before he again looked ahead to joining the Dodgers.
“It’s exciting. Yeah, I’m excited,” he reiterated. “They’ve got a good group. You hear everything across the way. I’m excited.”
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