Newly acquired Los Angeles Dodgers ace Tarik Skubal believes the criticism directed at the two-time defending champions is unwarranted.
"I don't really sympathize with people that blame the Dodgers for anything they've done," Skubal said Monday, according to Jack Harris of the California Post. "They've developed a really good organization. They draft well. They acquire talent really well. They retain talent. It's a winning organization.
"Now the complaints seem to be (happening) because they've won the last two World Series. I don't think it was like that three years ago. So, I don't really sympathize with people that are complaining. Because the Dodgers do all the right things."
The Dodgers acquired the two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner from the Detroit Tigers on Saturday in exchange for prospects Zyhir Hope, River Ryan, and Brady Smith.
"Every team could trade for me, every team could make that acquisition," Skubal added.
Los Angeles is also expected by many around the industry to be a serious suitor for the 29-year-old when he likely becomes a free agent this winter.
"I'm really not gonna talk about the business side of what's happening with me," Skubal said. "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 will make his Dodgers debut Tuesday. He might also not have to wait long to face his former club, as L.A. will visit the Tigers at the end of August for a three-game series.
"There's a lot of emotion," Skubal said when asked about leaving the only MLB team he's ever suited up for. "I spent eight years with the Detroit Tigers, and that place will always be special to me, no matter what."
Skubal joins a Dodgers rotation that could be the most talented in MLB history when healthy, featuring stars such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow to go along with Justin Wrobleski and Roki Sasaki.
