The Los Angeles Dodgers are going all in for a three-peat.
The two-time defending World Series champions acquired ace Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers for outfielder Zyhir Hope, and right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith, the teams announced Sunday.
"I'm excited to be a Dodger," Skubal said after learning of the trade Saturday, according to Josh Dubow of The Associated Press. "I'm excited to get down there and meet all those guys and chase three championships in a row. That's hard to do, so I'm so excited to a part of that. But it's a lot of different emotions. Definitely kind of a roller coaster a little bit."
Skubal, the reigning two-time AL Cy Young winner, was the top available trade candidate going into Monday's deadline. He owns a 2.79 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts across 96 2/3 innings.
The left-hander missed six weeks earlier in the season after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow. He's made nine starts since coming off the IL, posting a 2.87 ERA with 71 strikeouts.
Skubal said he wanted to remain in Detroit this season, but the Tigers opted to trade the 29-year-old before he could hit free agency this winter. He's expected to sign the biggest contract for a pitcher in MLB history once he hits the open market.
"It's crazy. Going into the season, this isn't what I planned on doing," Skubal said. "But circumstances change, situations change, and I'm very appreciative of everything the Tigers have done for me."
The addition of Skubal gives the Dodgers a rotation that also features Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow once all the starters are healthy. Ohtani hasn't pitched in a month due a knee issue, Snell is close to returning, and Glasnow is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment soon.
Skubal will make his Dodgers debut Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. The Dodgers will also visit the Tigers at the end of August for a three-game series.
Hope was the No. 5-ranked prospect in the Dodgers' minor-league system and 25th overall across baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. He recorded 23 homers with 87 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, and an .899 OPS in 94 minor-league contests this season.
The 27-year-old Ryan, the seventh-ranked prospect in the system and 68th overall, is pitching in Triple-A after missing all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Lastly, Smith was the No. 17 prospect in L.A.'s system. The 21-year-old authored a 4.36 ERA with 13.7 K/9 over 74.1 innings in Single-A this year.
