Milwaukee Brewers ‘blew it’ by not landing Tarik Skubal, says CC Sabathia
Sabathia’s View on Skubal Trade
Former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher CC Sabathia has expressed his disappointment regarding the team’s failure to acquire Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal at the 2026 trade deadline. Sabathia, who significantly impacted the Brewers in 2008, stated on his show, “MLB According to CC,” that he believes the Brewers “kind of blew it” by not securing Skubal.
Sabathia suggested that the Los Angeles Dodgers were the only team whose acquisition of Skubal could negatively affect the Brewers’ season. He noted that Milwaukee had been the top team for much of the summer, but the trade for Skubal to the Dodgers could be a significant setback. Sabathia envisioned a scenario where Skubal, paired with Jacob Misiorowski, could have boosted the Brewers’ chances against the Dodgers in October. However, with Skubal joining a Dodgers rotation that includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a healthy Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell, Sabathia believes it could form one of the strongest starting rotations ever seen, particularly if all pitchers remain healthy for October.
The comparison between Sabathia’s 2008 trade and the potential Skubal acquisition is notable. Both pitchers were AL Central standouts and reigning Cy Young Award winners when they were traded in their final year before free agency. Both were considered “rental” players with the potential to significantly alter the postseason landscape, though the Dodgers are expected to try and retain Skubal.
Brewers’ Efforts and Industry Reaction
The Brewers’ general manager, Matt Arnold, indicated on August 3 that the team felt they were in a strong position to acquire Skubal, but had to adjust their plans within 48 hours once the Dodgers’ deal became official. According to one executive from a different team, the Brewers were prepared to offer a package that was, in aggregate, more substantial than what Los Angeles provided, and were also willing to take on Skubal’s remaining contract.
Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reported that the Brewers’ offer included three elite prospects, with two ranked among the top 100. The Dodgers ultimately acquired Skubal for three prospects: outfielder Zyhir Hope, right-handed pitcher River Ryan, and right-handed pitcher Brady Smith. Hope and Ryan are considered top 100 prospects, though Ryan is nearing 28 years old. The Detroit Tigers have faced some criticism for the perceived light return in the deal.
Matt Snyder of CBS Sports criticized the Brewers’ approach, labeling it “cowardice.” Snyder argued that the Brewers should have done “whatever it took” to acquire Skubal and prevent the Dodgers from getting him, especially given the Dodgers’ prospect package was reportedly manageable for Milwaukee. Dave Roberts, the Dodgers manager, also commented that “there’s nothing that we did that no one else couldn’t have done.”
Brewers manager Pat Murphy has pushed back against the notion that the team did not do enough to acquire Skubal. The Brewers possess one of Major League Baseball’s top farm systems and recently traded prospects Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale to St. Louis for pitcher Dustin May and reliever JoJo Romero. Frias immediately became the St. Louis Cardinals’ No. 4 prospect.
Dodgers’ Strategic Advantage and Skubal’s Impact
The Dodgers’ acquisition of Skubal has intensified discussions about the economic system in Major League Baseball. Despite the availability of prospects and the affordability of Skubal’s remaining $9.4 million contract for other teams, the Dodgers were once again the team to complete such a significant move. The Dodgers’ ability to consistently make these types of acquisitions, even when finances are not the primary factor, highlights their operational strength in scouting, development, and trading.
The Dodgers’ trade for Skubal involved prospects River Ryan and Zyhir Hope, who were acquired in previous deals aimed at clearing 40-man roster spots. This demonstrates the Dodgers’ depth in their farm system, allowing them to trade talented prospects while retaining many others. Skubal, a back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner, underwent surgery on May 6 to remove a bone spur from his elbow. Since his return, he has maintained a 2.87 ERA over nine starts, performing at a high level.
The addition of Skubal strengthens the Dodgers’ pitching staff, providing more options as Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow recover from injuries. The team’s position-player group is noted as the oldest in the majors, and their offense remains among the game’s best. The trade for Skubal occurred on a Saturday night, contributing to heightened discussions around the league.
Source: eu.jsonline.com
