By Neil T. O’Donnell

With the jury deliberating, the Los Angeles Angels reached an 11th hour settlement agreement with the family of former MLB pitcher Tyler Skaggs on December 17th. Pitcher Tyler Skaggs died on July 1, 2019 after ingesting a pill laced with fentanyl. Mr. Skaggs was battling a serious opioid addiction which, as the family alleged, was never properly dealt with by the team.

The pill was provided by Angels’ communications director Eric Kay, who is currently serving a 22-year federal prison sentence in connection to Skaggs’ death. The 2022 criminal trial included testimony from various MLB members stating that they received oxycodone from Eric Kay from 2017 to 2019.

At the start of trial, the Angels attempted to re-litigate whether the fentanyl pill killed Skaggs. Judge H. Shaina Colover declined to re-hear the issue and proceeded with trial. The team then argued that they acted reasonably given the circumstances of Skaggs’ addiction.

The Skaggs trial brought team players and employees to the stand. Their testimony established a picture of a team overseeing boisterous alcoholic parties, which involved paying Eric Kay for clubhouse stunts. Outfielder Mike Trout, when asked whether he knew attendees provided drugs at the parties, answered with “maybe.”

Deliberations began December 16. The Angels likely reacted when the jury sent written questions such as “Do we as the jury get to decide the punitive damages amount? There is no field for it?” The case settled abruptly on December 17, 2025.