Tarik Skubal said he became emotional and cried while saying goodbye to his teammates after being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers [1].
The departure of a two-time Cy Young Award winner [2] marks a significant shift for both franchises as the 2026 MLB season enters its final stretch. For the Dodgers, the acquisition adds an elite left-handed starter to a championship pursuit, while the Tigers lose a cornerstone player during a critical period in their rebuilding process.
Speaking on the "Pardon My Take" podcast and during a Los Angeles radio segment, Skubal described the difficulty of leaving the Detroit organization. He said the emotional reaction stemmed from the respect he holds for his former teammates [1].
"I'm crying," Skubal said [1].
Despite the move to the West Coast, Skubal indicated that his connection to Detroit remains strong. He expressed a specific interest in returning to the city once he reaches free agency [2].
"I would love to return to Detroit in free agency," Skubal said [2].
Skubal credited the Tigers' front office for building a competitive foundation. He pointed to the team's recent offseason acquisitions as a primary reason for his optimism regarding the club's future. He said those moves have turned the Tigers into a "World Series-caliber team" [3].
The trade occurred at the 2026 MLB trade deadline [2]. At the time of the transaction, the Tigers were multiple games out of a Wild Card spot [3].
While the trade provides the Dodgers with immediate pitching depth, Skubal's public praise for Detroit suggests a professional relationship that remains intact. His comments regarding the team's caliber indicate he views the Tigers as a legitimate contender despite their current standing in the race for the postseason [3].
“"I'm crying."”
Skubal's openness about his emotional state and his desire to return to Detroit is unusual for a high-profile trade. It signals that the Tigers have successfully built a culture of loyalty and a competitive roster that appeals to elite talent, potentially aiding their future recruitment efforts in free agency despite the necessity of the 2026 trade.
