Haterade reaches epic level as Dodgers Tarik Skubal trade prompts Wrigley Field flyover

The latest accusation against the Los Angeles Dodgers literally arrived upside down.An airplane flew over Wrigley Field towing a banner that read, “The Dodgers ruined baseball,” ahead of Tarik Skubal’s debut with Los Angeles.The message periodically appeared inverted as the banner twisted against the Chicago sky.The presentation was imperfect, but the complaint was familiar.Los Angeles reopened one of baseball’s favorite grievances by acquiring the reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner from Detroit for outfielder Zyhir Hope and pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith.Skubal joins a rotation that already ranked among baseball’s best, with Blake Snell nearing a return, Tyler Glasnow beginning a rehab assignment and Shohei Ohtani potentially resuming his pitching duties.It is an absurd collection of talent.

That does not make it illegal, unethical or destructive to baseball.California Post esteemed columnist Dylan Hernandez recently detailed exactly why the Skubal trade is actually great for baseball.MLB’s economic structure deserves scrutiny.Teams do not possess equal resources, and the Dodgers’ financial advantages will inevitably become part of the next salary-cap debate.

But criticizing that system is different from expecting Los Angeles to voluntarily fall short of their expectations — baseball’s first three-peat in a quarter century.The Skubal deal was not completed through a loophole.The Dodgers developed enough prospect depth to make Detroit an acceptable offer.

Every other contender had an opportunity to pursue the same pitcher.“Every team could trade for me, every team could make that acquisition,” Skubal said.“I don’t really sympathize with people that blame the Dodgers for anything they’ve done.”Manager Dave Roberts similarly noted that Los Angeles needed the necessary prospects to complete the trade—and still possesses one of baseball’s best farm systems.

Money creates advantages, but scouting, development and ...