Brewers pitcher shares immediate reaction to Tarik Skubal-Dodgers trade

The news that Tarik Skubal was being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers traveled fast around the baseball industry on the night of Aug. 1.

While the Dodgers were losing to the Boston Red Sox, the Milwaukee Brewers were busy beating the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim. By night’s end, the Brewers had both the best record in MLB and its best farm system.

But they did not have Skubal, who now will try to help Los Angeles win a third consecutive World Series championship.

MORE: Dodgers, Tigers finalizing Tarik Skubal trade

The Dodgers beat the Brewers in a four-game National League Championship Series last year.

“I don’t think anybody’s surprised he went there,” Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill told reporters in Anaheim. “When they came out the other day and said they were going to be greedy, I think the whole world could take that serious, and that they’d probably make that happen.”

With less than 24 hours remaining before the MLB trade deadline, Megill said, “we’re just being patient seeing what happens and if not let’s just go with who we’ve got.”

MORE: Dodgers scratch 2 prospects at last minute before MLB trade deadline

If the Brewers are going to knock off the Dodgers, they will have to do it without the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. Skubal cost the Dodgers two top-100 prospects (pitcher River Ryan and outfielder Zyhir Hope) but no one from their 26-man roster and none of their Top 4 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline.

The Brewers have a deep farm system too. Unlike the Dodgers, it’s been a while since the city has celebrated a World Series parade. Milwaukee’s next baseball championship will be its first since 1957, when Hank Aaron led the Braves over the New York Yankees.

If the Brewers’ front office is kicking itself for letting Skubal go to their National League rivals, Megill didn’t seem frustrated in the least.

“It’s our job just to play baseball with the team they give us and the guys in this room,” he said.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —