Milwaukee declined to include top pitching prospect Logan Henderson in its offer for Tarik Skubal, and Detroit instead traded the ace to Los Angeles. The Brewers later strengthened their rotation with other acquisitions and went on to win the 2026 World Series without Skubal.

By the Numbers
  • Milwaukee won 103 regular-season games, then swept the Dodgers in the NLCS and beat Tampa Bay in five games to win its first championship.
  • Skubal posted a 2.61 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 62 regular-season innings with Los Angeles; in the postseason, he had a 2.45 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 11 innings.
  • The Brewers’ rotation ranked second in opponent batting average (.220), third in strikeouts (907) and fifth in ERA (3.61).
Yes, But

Skubal was excellent for the Dodgers, but Milwaukee’s refusal to part with Henderson preserved a young starter while the Brewers built a championship-winning rotation through other deals. Skubal’s 2026 season was also interrupted by an elbow injury and surgery.

State of Play
  • Detroit sought a top position-player prospect and a controllable starting pitcher; Milwaukee would not include Henderson.
  • The Tigers sent Skubal to Los Angeles for outfielder Zyhir Hope and pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith.
  • Skubal, who turns 30 during the 2027 season, is set to become a free agent this offseason.
What's Next

Milwaukee could pursue Skubal in free agency, adding a star left-hander to a rotation that already features Jacob Misiorowski, Henderson and Robert Gasser.

Bottom Line

The Brewers’ championship validates their decision not to overpay at the deadline—but Skubal’s looming free agency gives Milwaukee another chance to make a run at him.