Milwaukee captured the 2026 World Series after passing on a trade for Tarik Skubal, who instead went to the Dodgers and is now headed to free agency with multiple suitors circling.
The Milwaukee Brewers did not need Tarik Skubal after all. Following an MLB-best 103 wins in the regular season, the Brewers beat the San Diego Padres in four games in the NLDS, swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS and defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in five games to win the 2026 World Series, their first championship.
The title came without the defending back-to-back Cy Young winner, whom Detroit traded to the Dodgers at the deadline instead of Milwaukee. Reports indicate the Brewers had offered Detroit infield prospects Luis Peña, Milwaukee's No. 2 prospect, and Jett Williams, the club's No. 10 prospect. Skubal ended up watching the Dodgers get swept by the team that passed on him.
Now Skubal heads into free agency as the biggest name on the market. Jim Bowden of The Athletic lists the Chicago White Sox as a top candidate to land him, complicating the Dodgers' hopes of keeping their midseason addition. Toronto has also been floated as a possible destination, with former Blue Jays infielder Kevin Pillar weighing in on the chances. As it stands, around five teams are considered realistic contenders for Skubal, including the Dodgers, the Mets and the Blue Jays.