Tarik Skubal interview after Dodgers' NLDS clinch shows he was never coming back to Tigers

The Dodgers are moving on to the NLCS, because of course they are. If anyone is going to take down the reigning two-time champions, it'll be the Brewers — who had the better regular season record and bested the Padres in almost every conceivable way in the NLDS — but the Dodgers know they're still the team to beat.

Former Tiger Tarik Skubal was pulled aside by AM 570 LA Sports' David Vassegh as LA popped champagne in the visiting clubhouse. They had something that barely resembled a conversation as Skubal's teammates sprayed beer directly over their heads.

Vassegh was able to get a single question in amongst the chaos: "How much does this team mean to you?"

"It's a great team. I think the culture that they have here, the preparation, the expectation to win. I love being a part of it," Skubal said. "Winning is everything in sports. That's why you play the game, to win. And if you're not playing the game to win, then I don't relate with you, so I'm excited to be a part of it. I don't know when the next one for me will be, but I'm excited to take the mound."

Classic Skubal, keeping his options open. But make no mistake: he's going to be a Dodger next year.

Tarik Skubal doesn't have to admit it for Tigers fans to know he's going back to the Dodgers in 2027

Skubal has made it obvious that he loves being a Dodger, and that the Dodgers love him right back. After he was traded, he went through a respectful mourning period and got choked up in his first interview in LA. He even said that he hoped the Tigers were players in his free agency.

This is all smokescreen. While he may very well entertain offers from the Mets or the Yankees or perhaps even the Phillies, everyone knows who the frontrunners are. ESPN insiders naming Detroit as a "true contender" for him this offseason is really just toying with Tigers fans' emotions at this point.

Skubal, no doubt under some advisement from Scott Boras, is going to keep feigning ignorance and "we'll see what happens" until a contract is finally signed in the fofseason, but no one is going to be surprised if (or, rather, when) he goes back to the Dodgers and says something like "I always knew I wanted to come back here."

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow