Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal responded to his upcoming free agency as he navigates a delicate balance with the team.
The Dodgers are trying to win the World Series this year, making it a three-peat and certified dynasty, while also showing Tarik Skubal what the team can offer.
Skubal is in his final year of team control, and as a two-time Cy Young Award winner, he will enter a market that has immense value.
He was traded to offer insurance in terms of starting pitching and avoid having him join another team, though lingering in the back is his free agency, with the Dodgers able to audition their services to the ace.
The southpaw, despite all the talk around his trade and his future, is simply focused on making the most of the next few months before making any long-term decision.
“I’m really not going to talk about the business side of what’s happening with me,” Skubal said.
“Obviously, I understand free agency. I’d really like the message to be just, I’m excited to be here and learn everything about the Dodgers and all these guys here, develop relationships and win as many baseball games as I can.”
Does Tarik Skubal fit on the Dodgers long-term?
At this point, it is hard to find a star that does not fit with the Dodgers. They are not cheap when it comes to roster building and will certainly be considering keeping Skubal long-term.
However, there are real questions around his viability on this team. He would be another pitcher in his 30s on the team, marking the third one along with Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell.
Additionally, he would be making serious money, increasing the value of the rotation and putting more resources into their starters.
Skubal, who throws with high effort and already had one elbow procedure recently, could also be seen as an injury risk, something the Dodgers already have too much of in their organization in terms of pitching.
Then there is the upcoming CBA, which could put a salary cap on teams and limit their ability to spend, making another expensive pitcher too much to bear.
Still, in the end, Skubal’s time with the Dodgers should go well on and off the field, with his persona meshing well with the rest of the staff.
He is a true workhorse and a pitcher who wants the ball as much as possible, relishing the highest-pressure moments.
“I think pressure in this game is a privilege. Not a lot of guys in the game get to wear that,” Skubal said. “So it’s an honor to have expectations around you. I’ve always thought that. It’s an honor to have a fan base that expects me to go out there and perform.
“It’s an honor to have teammates that expect me to go out and put us in a position to win. So that pressure has always been a privilege to me.”
All indications are that Skubal will enjoy his time in the Dodgers clubhouse, learning with pitching coach Mark Prior and fitting into the winning culture as someone who pushes himself to the limit every day.
At this point, it is hard not to see the Dodgers as favorites to sign him.
6 Responses
So he’s a hired gun wanting a ring. And then a 200M contract. As long as he gives his all while he’s here, I have no problem with that.
That’s what I get reading between the lines.
“And then a 200M contract.” “[email protected] “…….you must be dreaming….his next contract will in the neighborhood $400M…..maybe Tarik and Shohei WILL BE neighbors……….maybe the best thing for the Dodgers is there WILL BE a new CBA negotiated which would not allow the LAD (or any other team) to over spend on Skubal’s next contract. The new CBA deal might actually save the LAD hundreds of millions of $$$.
You do realize the dodgers would already be at max salary cap, that’s the point of a salary cap, so the dodgers wouldn’t be able to spend until either contracts expire or we trade contracts around. Either way the dodgers are in a somewhat bad position to sign anyone under the new CBA until 2029 when most of the contracts begin to expire and end. So in a way a team like the marlins, brewers, giants or even royals would be in a better spot to pay skubal way more because the dodgers have no room to spend. Unless we resign skubal prior to the new CBA, we’d be able to grandfather him in.
And you know any of this how?
I agree… His agent is super smart.. maybe he will sign an extension for insurance..
Sounds like a team player. Should fit in well.