Dodgers trade for Tarik Skubal, fans and owners express outrage
The Dodgers are acquiring Tarik Skubal in a move that leaves some in the baseball world calling for a salary cap.
It’s trade deadline day in Major League Baseball on Monday, Aug. 3, with some big names expected to be traded in the hours, minutes and seconds leading up to the 6 p.m. ET deadline.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ trade for back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal further solidified the World Series champions as the favorites to win it all for the third year in a row.
“I don’t think I’ve felt this good after getting swept,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Sunday’s loss to the Boston Red Sox – who rode a wild winning streak into contention and should be involved in a deal or two ahead of the deadline.
Keep it here for the latest rumors and updates as the clock runs down:
What time is MLB trade deadline?
- When: Monday, Aug. 3
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
Teams must have trade details finalized and submitted to the league office by the deadline in order for any acquired players to be eligible for the playoffs. After that, players on 40-man rosters can’t be traded.
The Chicago White Sox didn’t have to prove they were legitimate playoff contenders, but they affirmed as much Aug. 1 when they acquired right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for reliever Seranthony Dominguez, former prospect Nolan Jones and catching prospect Boston Smith.
Castillo, 33, was expendable in Seattle thanks to the Mariners’ deep rotation, a gaggle of majors-ready prospects and the $24.1 million salary he’s due in 2027. He also hasn’t performed particularly well this season, posting a 5.06 ERA in 20 appearances, 17 starts, this season.
Yet Castillo is a three-time former All-Star who finished fifth in 2023 AL Cy Young Award voting and as recently as last season pitched 180 innings. He’ll add length to a White Sox rotation that thins out after No. 1 starter Sean Burke and Davis Martin.
– Gabe Lacques
It took David Stearns seven months to turn the No. 3 prospect in baseball into three players who don’t crack anybody’s top 100.
In January, the Mets sent Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat to Milwaukee for Peralta and Tobias Myers. Williams was supposed to be part of the next contending Mets team. Instead, he’s a Brewer, Peralta is a Ray and New York is last in the National League East.
Stearns opened these talks asking for a top 100 prospect and more. He got none. He gave away any leverage he had by scratching Peralta on Friday, signaling he was about to hold a fire sale.
– Kristie Ackert
Kevin Gausman, 35, is 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA in 23 starts this season but has been one of the most consistent starters in baseball for the past half-decade, posting a 3.36 from 2020-2025. A two-time All-Star, Gausman finished third in AL Cy Young voting in 2023.
Toronto is receiving minor league outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene in the trade.
Gausman was stellar in the Blue Jays’ 2025 postseason run, ultimately losing in Game 7 of the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gausman started five games and also got the win in relief in Game 7 of the ALCS.
– Jesse Yomtov
Tarik Skubal is a Dodger, and perhaps more significantly the avatar for All That Is Wrong With Baseball, he and his new team the whipping boys for a looming lockout whether or not L.A. wins a seemingly inevitable third consecutive World Series title.
The Dodgers are kicking everyone’s behinds in every facet of the game: Drafting, player development, scouting (which includes assessing internal talent) and providing a workplace players want to be.
– Gabe Lacques