Tarik Skubal is closing in on free agency, and the Dodgers know they won’t get an unobstructed runway to him.
Andrew Friedman has already signaled that Los Angeles plans to stay in touch with Skubal and Scott Boras, while making it clear the final choice will come down to what’s best for Skubal and his family. That keeps the Dodgers in their familiar position near the front of the line, but this is hardly shaping up as a one-team chase.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, six clubs are in the mix: the Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies.
That list tells the story. All but Detroit ranked among baseball’s top 10 spenders in 2026, and each of those clubs either missed the postseason or went out early. That kind of disappointment can turn into urgency fast, especially when a player like Skubal is on the market.
Not every name on the list feels equally dangerous. Detroit can probably be ruled out, despite Skubal’s hope that the Tigers would stay involved.
The reality is they don’t look equipped to bring him back, and they don’t seem eager to try. Chicago may be in a similar spot, even with a sizable chunk of money coming off the books this offseason.
The Mets and Blue Jays both fit the profile of aggressive bidders, and the Mets already have one recent example of pushing all the way to land a marquee name: Juan Soto. The question is whether Steve Cohen would go that far again for a pitcher. It’s possible.
Philadelphia might be the sneaky threat in all of this. If the Phillies can find clubs willing to absorb Trea Turner after the worst season of his career or Bryce Harper, who is owed $125.7 million through his age-38 season, that would change the conversation.
They also have the added pressure of pushing back against the idea that their competitive window has already shut. Bringing in Skubal would be a loud answer to that.
In Other News...
Dodgers Suddenly Have An Elly De La Cruz Trade Debate
Elly De La Cruzs looming contract situation has already turned him into one of the more intriguing names to watch this offseason, even before the market fully opens. The Reds shortstop and two-time All-Star recently declined a record extension and is now entering his first offseason of arbitration eligibility, which is enough to keep rival executives, fans and analysts thinking about where his next big step might eventually come.
During the postseason, Joey Votto pushed the conversation even further by floating a hypothetical deal that would send De La Cruz to the Dodgers for top prospect Josue De Paula. It remains a long shot, but the mere mention of De Paula underscores why the idea has traction as a debate topic, since the young outfielder has built a strong reputation with his offense and upside. For the Dodgers, it is the kind of star-for-prospect discussion that always invites attention, even when the odds say it is more thought experiment than real blueprint. [Read more 🡒]
Mookie Betts' Reaction Says Everything About What Dodgers Are Losing
Miguel Rojas has long been more than a utility infielder for the Dodgers. Over the past several seasons, he became one of the clubs most respected voices in the clubhouse, a steadying presence who helped younger players and stars alike sharpen their approach, including Mookie Betts on the defensive side. That kind of influence rarely shows up in a box score, but it has been a real part of why the Dodgers valued him so highly, and why he earned three Roy Campanella Awards for his leadership and inspiration.
Now Rojas is set to retire from playing after the 2026 season, closing the book on a 13-year career that left a strong imprint in Los Angeles. The good news for the Dodgers is that he is not leaving the organization entirely, since he will move into a front office role centered on player development. Even so, the transition marks the end of an era for a team that has leaned on his voice, his example and the kind of day-to-day guidance that can be hard to replace. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Just Got A Telling Skubal Update From Andrew Friedman
Tarik Skubals arrival gave the Dodgers exactly the kind of late-season boost they had hoped for, and his work in October only added to the belief inside the organization that he could be part of the long-term picture. As he heads into free agency, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was complimentary of the way Skubal handled the transition and made it clear the club appreciates what he brought during his time in Los Angeles.
Friedman also said the Dodgers will keep talking with agent Scott Boras, but the next move belongs to Skubal and his family. For a team that just watched him show well in the postseason, the offseason now becomes about whether the Dodgers can turn a strong short-term fit into something much more permanent. [Read more 🡒]