Tarik Skubal says Kroenke will make Angels a top MLB free-agent destination
As the Los Angeles Dodgers push toward a third straight World Series title, left-hander Tarik Skubal is already looking ahead to an offseason that could reshape Major League Baseball. In an interview published Thursday by the Los Angeles Times, Skubal said that Stan Kroenke's pending purchase of the Angels would instantly make Anaheim a preferred landing spot for free agents across the sport — a remarkable statement from a player who could be the most coveted pitcher on the market this winter.
Skubal, who was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Dodgers in August, was asked about the Angels' future under Kroenke, the billionaire owner of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams. His response was unequivocal: "Absolutely. Not only an owner that has obvious financial backing, but an owner that has turned the Rams into what the Rams are. ... There’s an owner that cares about winning."
The 29-year-old lefty, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, will be a free agent after the 2026 season, and his comments carry significant weight given the timing. With the Angels' sale expected to be finalized early next year, rival executives and players alike are bracing for a shift in baseball's financial landscape.
The context: A franchise at a crossroads
The Angels have long been a study in unrealized potential. Despite boasting generational talents like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani in recent years, the franchise has not won a playoff game since 2009 and has finished above .500 just once since 2015. Owner Arte Moreno, who has run the club since 2003, has often been criticized for inconsistent spending and a reluctance to make bold moves in free agency.
Under general manager Perry Minasian — who departed after the 2026 season — the Angels' largest free-agent signing was pitcher Yusei Kikuchi for $63 million, a figure that pales in comparison to the megadeals handed out by other contenders. That conservative approach has left the fan base frustrated and the roster perpetually short of the depth needed to compete in a brutal AL West.
Now, with Kroenke poised to take over, that dynamic could change dramatically. Forbes estimates Kroenke's net worth at $24 billion, making him the richest owner in Major League Baseball. His track record with the Rams — transforming a struggling franchise into a Super Bowl champion and perennial contender — has players and fans alike optimistic that he will bring the same commitment to the Angels.
Skubal, who has spent his entire MLB career in the American League (with Detroit until August 2026), has no direct stake in the Angels' fortunes. But as a potential free agent, he is paying close attention to which clubs are willing to spend.
"You bring an owner that really cares about winning and is willing to do whatever it takes to win and invest, not only with players on the field but all the stuff behind the scenes, like clubhouse renovations," Skubal said. "I’m sure there will be a lot of stuff there that changes to make it state-of-the-art, because all that stuff matters."
The Kroenke effect: Beyond the checkbook
Kroenke's influence is likely to extend far beyond his wallet. Under his ownership, the Rams have embraced a modern, player-friendly culture that emphasizes cutting-edge facilities, analytics, and a relentless pursuit of talent. That approach has made Los Angeles a magnet for NFL stars, and Skubal believes it could do the same for MLB players in Anaheim.
"The impact he brings to the Angels? You bring an owner that really cares about winning," Skubal said. "Not only an owner that has obvious financial backing, but an owner that has turned the Rams into what the Rams are. I think they’re the Super Bowl favorite this year."
The Rams, under head coach Sean McVay, have reached the Super Bowl twice in the last five seasons, winning it all in 2022. Kroenke has also invested heavily in SoFi Stadium, a state-of-the-art venue that has become a model for modern sports infrastructure. That same willingness to spend on facilities and support staff could be a game-changer for the Angels, whose stadium has shown its age.
The trade deadline's ripple effects
Skubal's comments come just weeks after he was traded from the Tigers to the Dodgers in a blockbuster deal that sent shockwaves through the MLB landscape. Detroit, facing playoff odds of just 0.7 percent according to FanGraphs, decided to move its ace rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency.
For Skubal, the trade was emotional. He had spent nearly a decade in the Tigers' organization, from his selection in the ninth round of the 2018 draft to two Cy Young Awards and two postseason appearances. The deadline move to Los Angeles was seen as a clear signal that the Tigers were waving the white flag on the 2026 season.
In August, Skubal returned to Detroit for a series against his former team, and he did not hide his feelings. Manager Dave Roberts said the start "was the last box he had to check," and Skubal admitted that acclimating to his new club was a process.
"Obviously getting traded, I’m trying to throw myself into being an L.A. Dodger," Skubal told MLB.com. "Get to know this team and get to know this staff and get to know everything, get settled in with everybody here, and then go out and compete and try to win as many baseball games as I can here."
The espresso machine saga
The emotional weight of the trade also manifested in a lighter, more talked-about moment: Skubal's decision to take his prized espresso machine from the Tigers' clubhouse to Los Angeles. The machine, which he had gifted to the club, was a staple in the Detroit clubhouse and even had a dedicated space in spring training known as "Casey's Cafe," named after Skubal and teammate Casey Mize, who also was traded at the deadline.
When reporters asked Skubal about the machine during his return to Detroit, he joked that his wife, Jessica, was responsible. "That was my wife," he said, laughing. "I wanted to leave it and get a new one, but she wouldn’t let me. My wife was like, 'That was too expensive to just run the charge back.'"
Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson, speaking to the Detroit Free Press, expressed disbelief: "Couldn't believe it. That was a really good espresso machine." The incident became a synecdoche for the trade itself — a reminder that relationships in baseball are often about the small, personal things.
The stakes for Skubal and the market
Skubal's own free agency is one of the most anticipated in recent memory. He is making $32 million this season and is widely expected to command a contract exceeding $300 million over eight or more years. Several deep-pocketed franchises, including the Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees, are expected to bid aggressively for his services.
The Angels' potential emergence as a player in that market only adds to the intrigue. If Kroenke is willing to open the purse strings, the Angels could suddenly outbid even the wealthiest of rivals. That would be a seismic shift in the balance of power in the AL West, where the Houston Astros have long dominated and the Texas Rangers have recently risen.
Skubal, who will turn 30 in November, is in the prime of his career. His 2025 season, which earned him his second American League Cy Young Award, featured a 2.39 ERA and 240 strikeouts. This year, despite the midseason trade, he has maintained an ERA below 3.00 and remains a top candidate for the postseason Cy Young. A pitcher of his caliber would be a transformative addition for any club — including a possible reunion with the Tigers, though Detroit's leadership has signaled a rebuild.
A potential return to the AL?
When asked if he could see himself pitching for the Angels under Kroenke, Skubal demurred, saying he is focused on the Dodgers' playoff run. But his broader comments made clear that he views the Angels' future as a legitimate threat to the sport's established hierarchy.
"You want to feel wanted," Skubal said. "It feels like [Kroenke] is a guy that is going to do everything to put a winning product on the field."
Whether Skubal ends up in Anaheim remains to be seen. The Dodgers, who traded a significant package to acquire him, will likely offer a lucrative extension to keep him in Los Angeles. But if he hits the open market, the Angels — with Kroenke at the helm — could be the surprise suitor that reshapes the entire pitching market.
The future of the Angels under Kroenke
Kroenke's purchase of the Angels is not yet complete. The MLB owners' approval is expected early next year, but the lockout and broader labor tensions could delay the process. In the meantime, the franchise is in a state of limbo, with a new general manager yet to be named and a roster that needs significant upgrades.
For the first time in decades, however, there is genuine optimism in Anaheim. Skubal's comments are a barometer of that shift. When the game's best players look at the Angels, they no longer see a franchise stuck in mediocrity. They see an owner who has proven he will stop at nothing to win — and who has the financial might to make it happen.
"I’m sure there will be a lot of stuff there that changes to make it state-of-the-art, because all that stuff matters," Skubal said of the Angels' future.
Whether Skubal is the one to benefit from that new era remains to be seen. But his words are a clear sign that the balance of power in baseball's free-agent market is about to change.
As Skubal prepares for the Dodgers' postseason run, the ripple effects of his comments will be felt in front offices across the league. The Angels, long an afterthought among players, are suddenly a team to watch — not just for 2027, but for years to come.
For more on the changing landscape of sports and other news, readers can explore our coverage of Toronto's recovery from a historic storm or the latest on Boeing's safety challenges.
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