Dodgers Receive Tarik Skubal News Amid MLB Free Agency

After his move to Los Angeles, Skubal immediately became an important part of the Dodgers’ rotation. In 10 regular-season starts with the Dodgers, Skubal posted a 2.61 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 62 innings.

The Dodgers would like to keep him in Los Angeles, but retaining Skubal could require them to outbid several aggressive contenders. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Mets could get in the Dodgers’ way when it comes to signing the 29-year-old.

“The New York Mets are downplaying their chances of signing Skubal to everyone who’ll listen, but their rivals believe that they could be the Los Angeles Dodgers’ stiffest competition for his services,” Nightengale wrote.

Nightengale also reported that the Dodgers, Mets, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays all have meetings scheduled with Skubal before Thanksgiving.

With the list of interested teams continuing to grow, the Skubal sweepstakes is likely to be the most competitive bidding war of the offseason.

The Mets have the financial resources to pursue virtually any free agent and also have a clear need for another high-end starter, as they allowed the seventh-most earned runs through six innings in baseball this season.

The upcoming meetings should provide a clearer picture of whether the Dodgers can retain Skubal or if one of their competitors can make a stronger pitch for him.