Tarik Skubal May Prefer Re-Signing With Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have an important decision to make regarding Tarik Skubal’s future with the organization.

The left-hander has hit the open market and there is an expectation that he intends to sign with a team before the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expires on Dec. 1.

The Dodgers should have interest in a reunion with Skubal, and Blake Snell certainly does. Having a deal in place before Dec. 1 is also the Dodgers’ best opportunity to re-resign the 29-year-old because of the uncertainty surrounding likely financial changes in a new CBA.

Mutual interest may not be the biggest obstacle for the Dodgers in negotiations. According to Alden González of ESPN, there is a belief that Skubal’s preference may be to re-sign with the Dodgers.

All things being equal — and by “all things” I, of course, mean “money” — my sense is Skubal would love to return to the Dodgers. He truly seemed to relish his 2½ months in Los Angeles. He loved the culture, particularly being among so many established, veteran players who were singularly focused on winning. He became besties with Blake Snell, was awed by the organization’s resources and, overall, seemed to fit in seamlessly.

The competition for Skubal is sure to be high this offseason. The Chicago Cubs are also reportedly interested in signing Skubal, but they may be deterred by his historic asking price.

Skubal’s desired compensation is expected to be upwards of $400 million to set the record for richest contract signed by a pitcher. That currently belongs to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers in December 2023.

Skubal could be likely to receive a contract of that magnitude from any team if MLB’s current financial structure undergoes significant changes in a new CBA.

The Dodgers’ spending ability could also be hamstrung by a salary cap or more punitive penalties on spending depending on the outcome of CBA negotiations.

The projected outcome of these negotiations is still largely unknown, but there already appears to be a significant shift in rhetoric from the owners in a recent CBA proposal from MLB.

Tarik Skubal’s relationship with Dodgers

Skubal was the first to criticize his performance on the mound early in his Dodgers tenure. But as his relationships within the organization improved, so did his performance on the mound.

Skubal also grew particularly close to Snell, with the two often jokingly referring to each other as their “little brother.”