Dodgers get first look at Skubal on the mound Tuesday at Wrigley

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers' public sentiment around acquiring players has long held: They would rather make their biggest moves during the offseason than buy when prices are highest ahead of the Trade Deadline.

But this year, in private, L.A.'s Deadline strategy revolved around one player. And the team was more than willing to be aggressive to land him.

The Dodgers came in well before the buzzer, reaching agreement on a deal to acquire two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Tigers on Saturday night.

"This was a different year, in the sense that it was Skubal or nothing," manager Dave Roberts said.

The team won't have to wait long for its first look at Skubal in Dodger blue, as he is slated to start against the Cubs on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

In exchange for Skubal, the Dodgers sent two prospects ranked on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list -- outfielder Zyhir Hope (No. 25) and right-hander River Ryan (No. 68) -- as well as right-hander Brady Smith to the Tigers. It was a high price for a rental, but one that L.A. was more than willing to pay for a pitcher of Skubal's caliber, especially with the opportunity to three-peat as World Series champions in the balance.

"We gave up a lot of talent. Those guys are really good, and have a chance to be really good Major League players," president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. "But again, with where our core is, this moment in time, it was something that we felt like, erring on the side of aggressive made the most sense right now."

Skubal has made nine starts since his lightning-fast recovery from surgery to remove a loose body from his pitching elbow, going 4-3 with a 2.87 ERA in that span. His final three starts before the trade were especially strong, as he pitched into at least the seventh inning and allowed no more than three runs in each.

Overall, Skubal is 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA. He has struck out 116 against 14 walks in 96 2/3 innings.

Rumors surrounding a potential Skubal trade circulated during this past offseason, but the Tigers ultimately held onto him with the hope of contending this season. But in recent weeks, it seemed inevitable that Skubal would be wearing a different uniform after the Trade Deadline.

And on Tuesday, three days after the Dodgers and Tigers agreed to terms on the deal, Skubal will indeed be taking the mound for a new team. This will be his first career start at Wrigley Field.

"I'm excited to be a Dodger," Skubal told reporters in West Sacramento on Saturday night. "I'm excited to get down there and meet all those guys, and chase three championships in a row. It's hard to do, so I'm excited to be a part of that. But yeah, it's a lot of different emotions. Definitely kind of a roller coaster, a little bit."