Tarik Skubal managed to make Dodgers fans do a double take this week, and it had nothing to do with anything happening on the mound.
In a conversation with the LA Times, Skubal talked at length about what Stan Kroenke’s purchase of the Angels could mean for free agency in Anaheim, and he didn’t exactly sound dismissive. When asked whether the move immediately makes the Angels a more appealing landing spot for stars, he didn’t hesitate.
"Absolutely," he told The Times. "Not only an owner that has obvious financial backing, but an owner that has turned the Rams into what the Rams are.
I think they're the Super Bowl favorite this year. There's an owner that cares about winning."
Skubal went further, laying out the kind of ownership investment that can change how players view an organization. "The impact he brings to the Angels?
You bring an owner that really cares about winning and is willing to do whatever it takes to win and invest, not only with players on the field but all the stuff behind the scenes, like clubhouse renovations. I'm sure there will be a lot of stuff there that changes to make it state-of-the-art, because all that stuff matters."
Read quickly, those comments sound a lot like a description of the qualities that have helped the Dodgers become such a magnet for free agents over the years. Financial muscle, a winning reputation, and an organization willing to invest everywhere players can feel it - that’s the blueprint.
That’s why the reaction from Dodgers fans was so immediate. Hearing a rival across town framed in those terms naturally catches attention, especially when the speaker is someone who could be part of the next big market sweep.
Still, there’s an important reality check here. Skubal also told The LA Times that he’s focused on helping the Dodgers go after a third straight World Series this year and hasn’t spent much time thinking about his own free agency yet. He also knows his market could rise with a strong playoff run, which makes the timing of his comments worth noting, even if he was speaking broadly about the league.
There’s also the Scott Boras factor. If this feels a little like early leverage-building, that wouldn’t be shocking. Boras has long been the master of getting a client’s name and value into the conversation before the real bidding starts, so teams already know the landscape by the time the negotiation window opens after the World Series.
Maybe that’s all this was: a little market-setting, a little positioning, and a lot of attention before free agency actually gets serious. Dodgers fans are allowed to feel a twinge of concern after hearing those quotes. But for now, Skubal is still in Dodger blue and still trying to help chase three straight titles - the version of him fans want right now, and the one that keeps the whole thing moving.
In Other News...
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For a Toronto system that already has several pitching prospects drawing interest for their development this year, the addition of Guerra and Thompson to that conversation only adds to the sense that the pipeline is getting deeper. Neither is finished climbing, and both still have work to do before they become real big-league options, but each has put himself in a position to rise further in the organizations rankings if the progress keeps coming. [Read more 🡒]
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Blue Jays Defensive Problem May Not Be Who Fans Think
The Blue Jays have spent much of this season living with a strange defensive split: by Sept. 9, they had allowed the most infield hits in MLB excluding bunts, even as their overall defensive numbers still landed among the leagues better groups. It is the kind of stat that can make a team look sloppier than it really is, especially when the eye test on individual defenders does not point to one obvious weak link.
A closer look suggests the problem is more layered than simple foot speed or range. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has shown some issues charging balls even with good reflexes, Ernie Clement has been vulnerable moving left at second base, Kazuma Okamoto has had trouble going right at third, and Andrs Gimnez has continued to stand out at short despite only average sprint speed. In other words, the Blue Jays infield hit issue seems tied to specific movement patterns and reactions, not one broad defensive flaw. [Read more 🡒]