National League team has been named a 'dark horse' for Tarik Skubal

There is almost no question that star pitcher Tarik Skubal will get a massive payday this summer.

The only question is which team gives Skubal the money. The Los Angeles Dodgers certainly are a favorite, especially after acquiring him at the recent trade deadline.

MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand named some teams that could be in the mix, but one dark horse candidate emerged: The Philadelphia Phillies.

“Dave Dombrowski has never been shy about spending in free agency, so the Phillies are at least a dark horse candidate to make a play for Skubal,” Feinsand wrote.

Feinsand also notes that Skubal’s agent, Scott Boras, has also worked out deals with the Phillies for big-name players such as Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos and Taijuan Walker.

As far as the money goes, Skubal is expected to surpass the 10-year, $325 million deal the Dodgers gave Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Some predict that Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young winner, could get the first $400 million deal when it comes to total value.

Skubal finished the season with a 12-7 record and a 2.72 ERA between his time with the Detroit Tigers and the Dodgers. With LA, he went 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 10 regular-season starts, and he made two postseason appearances before the Dodgers lost in a four-game sweep against the Milwaukee Brewers.

While the impending lockout will bring a lot of questions, there is almost no doubt that Tarik Skubal is going to get a record contract this time.