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Tarik Skubal free agency tracker: Latest on MLB's top free agent
Confirmed
In Short: Tarik Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, is attracting significant interest from multiple MLB teams as he enters free agency.
Tarik Skubal (53947759924) (cropped).
BIDDING WAR: Dodgers, Padres, and Mets CHASE Tarik Skubal—Who Will LAND MLB’s Top Free Agent?. Locked On Dodgers
Tarik Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, is drawing significant interest from multiple MLB teams as he enters free agency. The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and Chicago Cubs are among the teams looking to bolster their rotations with Skubal.
According to ESPN, Skubal's average projected contract is eight years and $355 million, with an average annual value (AAV) of $44.6 million. Industry insiders predict the deal could be finalized before December 1.
Skubal's performance this season has been exceptional. He posted a 2.45 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP over 11 innings in the postseason for the Dodgers, contributing to their 14th consecutive playoff berth.
The New York Yankees are also considering upgrades at third base, with free agent Alec Bohm potentially being a target for GM Brian Cashman. However, the Yankees' primary focus remains on improving production across the club.
The Blue Jays, who ranked fifth in payroll at $276,327,620, are also expected to meet with Skubal, joining the Mets, Dodgers, Padres, and potentially other clubs.
Jeff Passan of ESPN noted that Skubal's contract could potentially break records, as he turns 30 in November and no pitcher over 30 has ever received more than Stephen Strasburg's $245 million deal.
The Dodgers, who clinched their playoff berth with Skubal's seven shutout innings, are facing a tricky free agency period. GM Brian Cashman acknowledged the need for improvement in production across the club.
The Mets, with owner Steve Cohen willing to spend, are also expected to meet with Skubal next week, as they have a need for front-line starting pitching.
The story of this market is threefold: Skubal is the clear top free agent, with a strong chance to break some pitcher contract records. The usual suspects, including the Dodgers and Mets, are believed to be at the front of the line for Skubal.
The Blue Jays, despite their high payroll, are also in the mix for Skubal, as they look to strengthen their rotation. Jon Heyman reported that the Blue Jays will soon meet with Skubal, joining the Mets, Dodgers, Padres, and potentially other clubs.
The Cubs, who missed out on Skubal in a trade, are now looking to make a move before the lockout begins on December 1. Jed Hoyer, the Cubs' top executive, needs to act quickly to secure Skubal or another top trade target.
What this adds
The Blue Jays' high payroll and strong performance on the field suggest they are now reaching the pinnacle of their potential, as noted by MLB.com.
The Mets' recent trade for Freddy Peralta may impact their pursuit of Skubal, as they have already strengthened their rotation.
The Dodgers' decision to retain Skubal for the postseason demonstrates their commitment to building a strong rotation, which could influence their free agency strategy.
What's confirmed
- Tarik Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, is drawing significant interest from multiple MLB teams as he enters free agency. The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and Chicago Cubs are among the teams looking to bolster their rotations with Skubal.
- According to ESPN, Skubal's average projected contract is eight years and $355 million, with an average annual value (AAV) of $44.6 million. Industry insiders predict the deal could be finalized before December 1.
- Skubal's performance this season has been exceptional. He posted a 2.45 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP over 11 innings in the postseason for the Dodgers, contributing to their 14th consecutive playoff berth.
- The New York Yankees are also considering upgrades at third base, with free agent Alec Bohm potentially being a target for GM Brian Cashman. However, the Yankees' primary focus remains on improving production across the club.
- The Blue Jays, who ranked fifth in payroll at $276,327,620, are also expected to meet with Skubal, joining the Mets, Dodgers, Padres, and potentially other clubs.
- Jeff Passan of ESPN noted that Skubal's contract could potentially break records, as he turns 30 in November and no pitcher over 30 has ever received more than Stephen Strasburg's $245 million deal.
- The Dodgers, who clinched their playoff berth with Skubal's seven shutout innings, are facing a tricky free agency period. GM Brian Cashman acknowledged the need for improvement in production across the club.
- The Mets, with owner Steve Cohen willing to spend, are also expected to meet with Skubal next week, as they have a need for front-line starting pitching.
- The story of this market is threefold: Skubal is the clear top free agent, with a strong chance to break some pitcher contract records. The usual suspects, including the Dodgers and Mets, are believed to be at the front of the line for Skubal.
- The Blue Jays, despite their high payroll, are also in the mix for Skubal, as they look to strengthen their rotation. Jon Heyman reported that the Blue Jays will soon meet with Skubal, joining the Mets, Dodgers, Padres, and potentially other clubs.
- The Cubs, who missed out on Skubal in a trade, are now looking to make a move before the lockout begins on December 1. Jed Hoyer, the Cubs' top executive, needs to act quickly to secure Skubal or another top trade target.
What's still developing
- He spent three full months with the team, which served as a free-agent audition for both sides.
- 11: Passan's perfect move for top contenders: Skubal has no interest in a shorter-term, higher-dollar deal, which could disadvantage the Dodgers.
- So it should come as no surprise that the Skubal sweepstakes are already underway, with meetings with interested teams set to begin soon.
- Skubal (10-7) allowed three hits, struck out nine and walked one as he gained his second win against Cincinnati in seven days.
- MLB’s free agent period is normally slower than those in the NFL and NBA with major signings sometimes dragging into the next calendar year.
- According to StatMuse, Skubal has fanned the second-most batters since October 2, 2023, just behind Toronto ace Dylan Cease.
- Projected contract/QO: eight years, $352 million (44 AAV), not eligible for QO As the playoffs began, I polled 27 industry insiders about Skubal's contract and got an average projection of eight years, $355 million (44.6 AAV), with 59% of projections landing just above the all-time pitcher guaranteed money record of $325 million (by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, over 12 years) and the big, round number of $400 million.
- As covered in that panel piece, the usual suspects are believed to be at the front of the line for Skubal: The Dodgers and Mets are the primary bidders, the Tigers are monitoring for a discount, the Yankees are thinking about it (and then trading from their pitching stockpile if they land Skubal), and the Angels, White Sox, and Padres are the sleepers with ownership changes behind the interest.
- The Dodgers still landed Skubal to put toward the front of the rotation, with the ability to retain De Paula about to pay dividends on Friday when the pair become teammates.
- Skubal is well-positioned to sign a record-breaking contract early this winter, as agent Scott Boras will look to cash in on his prized free agent prior to the looming lockout that is expected to begin on December 1st when the CBA expires.
- Might as well just call this year’s free agent class, the year of Skubal, because Tarik is the biggest star on the market by a mile.
- Passan wrote: “The Tampa Bay Rays are acquiring right-hander Freddy Peralta in a trade with the New York Mets, sources tell ESPN. Rays get their starter, who joins Drew Rasmussen, Shane McClanahan and Nick Martinez in one of the American League’s best rotation. First on news was @WillSammon” More MLB on Heavy: Detroit Tigers Announce Roster Decisions on Newly-Acquired Players in Tarik Skubal Trade This recent Freddy Peralta decision means that Cubs’ top executive Jed Hoyer needs to wake up, and make a move before it’s too late.
Sources
- CBS Sportslink
- Dodgers Nationlink
- ESPN La Crosse 105.5link
- Espnlink
- FanSidedlink
- MLB Trade Rumorslink
- MLB.comlink
- Foxsportslink
- Sbnationlink
- Bleacherreportlink
- Newbaseballmedialink
- Espnlink
- Ocregisterlink
- Justbaseballlink
- Heavylink
- Fox Newslink
- Locked On Dodgers — video link
- SNY — video link
- MLB Network — video link
- Toronto Sports Rush — video link
- Yahoo! Sports MLB — video link