The Los Angeles Dodgers were eliminated from World Series contention by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS after being swept in just four games.
Now, the Dodgers have a ton of work to do this offseason. While their lineup is all coming back, change could come from how they struggled in the postseason. But when it comes to the pitching staff, Tarik Skubal’s future is the biggest question mark.
However, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, the Dodgers are predicted to have a big hurdle when it comes to re-signing Skubal. Thanks to the potential for an MLB lockout in December, the Dodgers might not re-sign Skubal this offseason.
Why Dodgers might not re-sign Skubal thanks to MLB lockout
“The Dodgers won’t sign Skubal to a mega extension … before Dec. 1,” Gonzalez predicts. “Skubal’s agent, Scott Boras, will probably want to get something done with his client before the lockout, but it would be really difficult for the Dodgers to justify signing Skubal to a massive deal before knowing what MLB’s economic model will look like.”
Thanks to a potential MLB lockout at the start of December, with the future of MLB’s payroll system up in the air, the Dodgers might not want to commit a massive contract to another player.
With so much already invested in this team, currently the highest projected payroll for 2027 by a wide margin, the Dodgers really cannot afford another $300 million-plus deal, like what Skubal will get this offseason.
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If there wasn’t set to be a lockout that could potentially lead to a salary cap, or new payroll restrictions, then the Dodgers might be more willing to splurge on re-signing Skubal.
But with the uncertainty about MLB’s payroll rules, the Dodgers might be looking at refraining from adding Skubal on a long-term deal this offseason.
It’s a tricky situation, and Gonzalez is predicting that the Dodgers will not sign Skubal to a contract extension before December 1 and before a potential lockout.
That would, in turn, likely pave the way for the Dodgers to lose Skubal on the open market, with teams like the New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and other top contenders with money to spare set to have a real chance of landing Skubal.
