The Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal, causing some fans to say it reminded them of LeBron James joining the Miami Heat in 2010
The Los Angeles Dodgers were once again at the center of the MLB universe after trading for Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal over the weekend.
Skubal, who one of the best at his position in the game, joins an already stacked Dodgers lineup. A year after winning the World Series, they are now an even choice to win a third straight championship.
The move was surprising because no one expected the Dodgers could pull it off.
"Going into the season, this isn't what I planned on doing," Skubal told reporters after the trade was announced. "But circumstances change, situations change. I'm very appreciative of everything that the Tigers have done for me."
The Dodgers are now being compared to the New York Yankees, who often use big payrolls to pile championships. The Dodgers could win their fourth title since 2000, which is nearly half of the franchise's total (9).
The trade even drew a reaction from NBA fans, including the Miami Heat. Some thought it was similar to the Heat signing LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2010, pairing them with Dwyane Wade.
At the time, that gave them three of the league's top 10 players. It was met by jeers, with most saying the Heat was stacking the deck so they could cruise to titles. Actually, it wasn't that way at all.
While the Heat won 58 games that first year, they were second to the Derrick Rose-led Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference. Rose won MVP ahead of James but the Heat defeated the Bulls in the conference finals. Still, Miami was unable to close it out when they fell to the Dallas Mavericks in six games.
The Heat did respond by winning the next two championships, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. The run ended the following year with a loss to the Spurs, causing James to return back to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Despite how far removed the organization is from that era, it will always be brought up when a "super team" is formed.
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