Relieved to avoid facing Tarik Skubal, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman praises the front office for acquiring him.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made what many consider the biggest move of the 2026 MLB trade deadline by acquiring two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers.
The blockbuster immediately strengthened an already talented rotation, but it also generated excitement inside the Dodgers’ clubhouse.
Freddie Freeman was among the first players to react publicly after the trade became official.
Speaking with Tigers broadcaster Jason Benetti on NBC Sports, the veteran first baseman admitted there was one immediate benefit to adding one of MLB’s most dominant pitchers.
Freeman said he was happy Skubal would now be pitching for the Dodgers instead of against them.
“I’m glad he’s on our side now,” Freeman said.
The six-time All-Star later expanded on why he believes Skubal has become one of the game’s most feared starters while also praising the Dodgers’ front office for continuing to build a World Series-caliber roster.
Freeman explained that whenever the Dodgers saw Detroit on the schedule, players naturally wondered whether they would have to face Skubal. This is a reflection of the respect the left-hander has earned throughout MLB.
“Whenever you see the Tigers on the schedule, you kind of circle it and like, ‘Oh, are we going to draw Tarik or are we not going to draw him?’”
The numbers don’t lie
Skubal arrived in Los Angeles after capturing consecutive American League Cy Young Awards while establishing himself as arguably the premier left-handed starter in the sport.
Before the trade, the 29-year-old owned a 2.79 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 116 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 96.2 innings across 16 starts this season.
During 153 career appearances with Detroit, he compiled a 61-42 record with a 3.04 ERA and 1.01 WHIP while recording 1,005 strikeouts in 863.1 innings over 153 appearances (150 starts).
Now, rather than trying to solve Skubal’s overpowering fastball and devastating secondary pitches, the Dodgers will hand him the ball every fifth day as they pursue another World Series.
Freeman’s opinion carries additional significance because of his standing within the organization.
Now in his fifth season with Los Angeles, the former National League Most Valuable Player remains one of the team’s unquestioned leaders both on and off the field.
This season, Freeman is hitting .309 with 129 hits, 15 home runs, 54 RBIs, 57 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 110 games. He also remains under contract with the Dodgers through the 2027 season.
Skubal’s upside
Freeman’s praise reflects the respect Skubal has earned across MLB through much more than his statistics. The left-hander has developed a reputation for attacking hitters without hesitation while maintaining outstanding command and composure regardless of the situation.
He also possesses the mentality teams want leading a postseason rotation. Skubal competes with confidence, embraces pressure, and rarely allows difficult innings to affect the remainder of his outing.
That resilience becomes especially valuable in October, when momentum can change quickly and every pitch carries greater importance.
For the Dodgers, acquiring Skubal is about far more than adding another talented arm. They are bringing in a proven frontline starter whose competitiveness, consistency, and ability to perform on MLB’s biggest stage make him an ideal fit.
