How the Cubs unintentionally helped the Dodgers land Tarik Skubal in blockbuster trade deadline move

The Los Angeles Dodgers' acquisition of ace pitcher Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers has sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball ahead of Monday's trade deadline.

While Tigers fans are understandably the most bent out of shape over the back-to-back Cy Young winner getting shipped out of town, fans of the Chicago Cubs have to be No. 2 on the list of most-frustrated fan bases.

The Cubs were among the many teams that appeared to have a legitimate chance of acquiring Skubal, especially during the early stages of the trade rumors involving the 29-year-old. Chicago's starting rotation has been decimated by injuries in 2026, but the team has managed to grab hold of the top spot in the National League Wild Card race.

DODGERS REPORTEDLY ACQUIRE ACE TARIK SKUBAL FROM TIGERS IN TRADE THAT STIRS UP MLB WORLD

Adding Skubal, even with the fact that he is expected to hit free agency following the season, could have thrust the Cubs into the conversation as the top contender in the National League to potentially take down the Dodgers in their quest to win three straight World Series.

Instead, the Dodgers got significantly stronger with the postseason fast approaching, and not only did the Cubs fail to land a certified superstar in Skubal, but they inadvertently helped Los Angeles acquire one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.

In exchange for Skubal, the Dodgers dealt prospects Zyhir Hope, River Ryan, and Brady Smith to Detroit. Hope, the top-rated prospect in the deal, was drafted 11th overall by the Cubs in the 2023 MLB June Amateur Draft before Chicago traded him in 2024 to the Dodgers as part of a deal that moved first baseman Michael Busch to the Windy City.

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Busch has been an important, very reliable piece for the Cubs in what is now his third season in Chicago, but it's impossible to ignore how a former prospect with the Cubs helped what is already the best team in baseball get even better by dealing for a pitcher the team was highly interested in.

Insult to injury could be added sooner rather than later as well, with Skubal potentially making his debut for the Dodgers this week in Chicago when the Cubs host LA for a three-game series beginning on Monday.