Dodgers’ Tarik Skubal Backs Stan Kroenke to Transform Rival Angels Following $4 Billion Purchase

Tarik Skubal believes that the Los Angeles Angels could become a destination for several free agents in the future following their sale to Stan Kroenke.

Dodgers’ Tarik Skubal Backs Stan Kroenke to Transform Rival Angels Following $4 Billion Purchase

Tarik Skubal and Stan Kroenke (Image via X/@FoulTerritoryTV/X/@BRWalkoff)

Stan Kroenke‘s purchase of the Los Angeles Angels has been one of the talking points in MLB this week. On Thursday, Los Angeles Dodgers star Tarik Skubal shared his thoughts regarding the sale of their cross-town rivals and backed the businessman to transform the team.

The past decade has not been a good one for the American League West side. They have not finished with a winning record since 2015 and have not made the postseason since 2014. At the moment, they are 53-87 and need to win 10 more games from their remaining fixtures to avoid finishing the year with 100 losses.

While this season will go down as another poor one for the Angels, the future looks promising for them. On Tuesday, the team announced that Arte Moreno had sold the team to the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) group. The deal is reported to be around $4 billion.

Under Kroenke’s ownership, his teams have had success in other sporting leagues. In the past 5 years, the Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl in 2022, the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022, the Colorado Mammoth won the National Lacrosse League title in 2022, the Denver Nuggets won the NBA Finals in 2023, and Arsenal won the English Premier League this year.

This track record has excited the Angels fans. The team’s only World Series title came in 2002 when they defeated the San Francisco Giants. In 2003, Moreno brought the club from The Walt Disney Company.

Though the team won 6 division titles and had some big names represent them, they have not reached the postseason since 2014. These constant shortcomings had led to many fans urging Moreno to sell the team.

Kroenke will officially complete the takeover by the first quarter next year. 2-time American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal has backed him to bring a massive change to the Angels and make them genuine title contenders.

You want to feel wanted. And you have an owner that is willing to do whatever it takes to win. … Guys tend to gravitate toward teams that are winning and teams that are in the playoff hunt every single year, with World Series aspirations every single year. I think free agents gravitate toward that in general. I’m sure that will be the case.

Tarik Skubal said as per Bill Shaikin of Los Angeles Times

Skubal himself is expected to become a free agent once the 2026 season is done. The former Detroit Tigers star joined the Dodgers through a trade last month.

Before this trade, several contenders like the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays were also linked with a trade for the southpaw. The Angels, though, were one team that was not seen as a favorite. With Kroenke in charge, things could change drastically for other top free agents in the future.

RELATED
Ketel Marte Clarifies Silent Response to Diamondbacks Fans After Pregame Misunderstanding

Tarik Skubal tied an unwanted career-high record during his recent start against the Cardinals

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been a bit shaky in recent weeks. Since the All-Star Break, they are 22-21. On Thursday, Tarik Skubal tied an unwanted career-high record during his start against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Dodgers' Ttarik Skubal
Tarik Skubal (Image via X/@SleeperDodgers)

The NL Central side has been a thorn in the side of the Dodgers. Before the game on Thursday, they had a 4-1 record against the 2-time defending champions this season.

With back-to-back wins on Tuesday and Wednesday, they were looking to complete the sweep on Thursday. The Dodgers entered the field hoping Skubal could help them avoid that.

He did not have the best of games. Though he surrendered just 2 runs, he gave up 10 hits (all singles). This is the most hits he has given up in a game since July 22, 2024.

Despite this, the Dodgers managed to win. With the team trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th inning, Teoscar Hernandez hit a ball into the gap between left field and center field. This allowed Tommy Edman and Mookie Betts to come home and complete a comeback win for the hosts.

Skubal did not get a decision in this game. In 6 starts, he has a 1-2 record with a 3.03 ERA. His next start will be against the Cincinnati Reds next week.

Also Read: