Initial impressions of Skubal blockbuster: Are Dodgers unstoppable? Why didn't anyone else offer more?
L.A. sent shock waves through baseball with another ace addition. Here are our first thoughts of the deal's leaguewide impact.
The Dodgers just keep on adding to their already formidable roster, and the latest move to bring in ace Tarik Skubal is sending shock waves throughout the league. This deal is a big win for L.A., as Skubal brings a high level of talent and youth to their starting rotation. With an already stacked lineup and bullpen, it's hard not to wonder if the Dodgers are indeed unstoppable heading into the new season.
The elephant in the room, however, is why no other team seemed to put in a more competitive offer for Skubal. Were other teams simply not willing to part with the level of prospects the Dodgers were, or did they not view Skubal as a top-tier ace? The answer likely lies somewhere in between. Skubal has shown flashes of brilliance in his career, but he's also had some injury and consistency issues. Still, for a team like the Dodgers that's clearly committed to winning now, the potential reward seems well worth the risk.
As the rest of the league reacts to this move, all eyes will be on how the Dodgers' competitors respond. Will teams like the Yankees, Astros, or Braves make a big move to counter the Dodgers' addition, or will they try to build through other means? And what does this deal mean for the Tigers, who now have a lot of pressure on them to take a step forward in the AL Central? The ripple effects of this blockbuster deal will be felt for a long time, and it'll be fascinating to see how it all plays out.
Originally reported by espn.com. PlayerNews adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.