Tarik Skubal is shaping up to be the biggest prize on the pitching market this offseason, and the list of teams circling him keeps getting shorter at the top. The left-hander is expected to land one of the largest contracts ever given to a pitcher in MLB history, and the Dodgers, Cubs and Mets are being talked about as the clubs with the strongest interest.
“Like I reported last week, the Dodgers, the Mets and the Cubs have the strongest interest in Tarik Skubal,” David Vassegh said on SportsNet LA.
That trio makes sense for different reasons, but the Dodgers stand out as the most familiar fit. Skubal and Los Angeles already worked well together, and there’s a growing belief that the two-time Cy Young Award winner may want to stay put. A recent report suggested he may prefer re-signing with L.A., which would only strengthen the Dodgers’ position in the chase.
Chicago is in the mix for a simpler reason: the Cubs need a true front-line starter, and Skubal is exactly that. The hurdle there is obvious. He’s projected to cost somewhere in the $300 million to $400 million range, and that kind of price tag can change the entire conversation.
New York has the means to jump in, too. The Mets could use another ace alongside Nolan McLean, and they were the only team with a higher payroll than the Dodgers during the 2026 season.
But the fit isn’t as clean on the baseball side. The Mets are coming off a disastrous season, and with a tough National League East ahead, they aren’t a sure thing to contend next year.
If the money is the same, Skubal may lean toward the club that looks closer to a World Series run.
Timing could matter just as much as the destination. With MLB all but certainly headed toward a lockout on Dec.
1, November is expected to be a frantic month as free agents try to get deals done before the current collective bargaining agreement expires. Skubal is one of the players expected to sign before any potential work stoppage, and that could give the Dodgers an edge.
If owners push through a salary cap - or tougher spending penalties - it would become far less likely that Los Angeles could land a deal of this size, which makes an early agreement especially important.
In Other News...
Dodgers Offseason Plan May Hinge On One Crucial Rotation Decision
The Dodgers are already being linked to one of the biggest names who could shape the next pitching market, with Tarik Skubal emerging as a possible target as they look ahead to the 2027 season. It is the kind of front-end pursuit that fits a club with championship expectations, but it also underscores how much of their offseason planning can pivot on one major rotation decision.
If Los Angeles lands elsewhere, the fallback path could look very different, with depth options likely to come into focus instead of a headline arm. Around the league, the Red Sox are also expected to be active on the pitching side, seeking a back-end starter and a right-handed reliever who can miss bats, a reminder that the market could be shaped as much by fit and depth as by star power. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Are Suddenly Tied To Two Padres Arms Fans Know Well
The Padres offseason has already turned into a familiar kind of waiting game, and two names now sitting at the center of it are Michael King and Adrian Morejon. Both arms have been important parts of San Diegos recent success, and both have built enough of a track record to draw attention if they reach the open market. For Dodgers fans, the intrigue is obvious: these are pitchers who know the division, know the rivalry and have been linked in reports to Los Angeles as the winter starts to take shape.
King and Morejon also bring a layer that makes the speculation more interesting than a typical free-agent rumor. Each has spoken about a personal connection to San Diego, which only adds to the uncertainty around where they might land if the Padres cannot keep them in place. For now, nothing is settled, and that is exactly why this could become one of the more closely watched storylines on the market for a Dodgers team always looking for ways to stay ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Face One Massive Hurdle In Keeping Tarik Skubal
Blake Snell has been doing more than just pitching for the Dodgers this winter. According to the report, he has been actively encouraging Tarik Skubal to re-sign with Los Angeles before the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on Dec. 1, a sign the Dodgers are at least trying to make the case early and aggressively. For a club that has never been shy about chasing elite talent, the appeal is obvious: Skubal would give them another frontline arm to pair with an already loaded roster.
The obstacle, as always, is the price tag and the shape of the deal. Skubal is reportedly weighing offers with interest from the Chicago Cubs in the mix, and his desired contract value is believed to land somewhere between $300 million and $400 million. The Dodgers may prefer a shorter-term arrangement with a high average annual value, while Skubals camp appears open to a reunion if the financial terms line up, leaving plenty to sort through before the deadline hits. [Read more 🡒]