The Los Angeles Dodgers lost in the NLCS to the Milwaukee Brewers, getting swept in four games, ending their hopes of a three-peat.
But it also officially sets starting pitcher Tarik Skubal up to hit the open market as a free agent, where he’s bound to field some incredibly lofty offers from interested clubs. What will Skubal actually get on the open market, though?
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter is predicting that the Dodgers’ ace, formerly with the Detroit Tigers, will land a massive $360 million contract this offseason. While it’s an incredible amount, it’s actually a very realistic prediction for Skubal this winter.
Tarik Skubal predicted to land $360M deal in free agency
“Predicted contract: 9 years, $360 million,” Reuter predicts. “The nine-year, $324 million deal Gerrit Cole signed with the Yankees at the same age will be the mark Skubal aims to surpass. A $40 million AAV is within reach for the clear headliner of the 2026-27 free agent class.”
Skubal is predicted to land a nine-year, $360 million deal this offseason by Reuter. That comes out to an incredible $40 million per-year, which would break the record for a contract signed by a pitcher in MLB history.
While it might seem like a massive contract, considering Skubal is a two-time Cy Young Award winner and that his mid-season return from elbow surgery didn’t really slow him down in 2026, he’s more than proven he’s worth top-dollar.
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Besides, players this good rarely, if ever, hit the open market. Plus, to make things even easier, since the Dodgers traded for Skubal, other teams around MLB won’t have to worry about losing a draft pick if they sign him, since Los Angeles can’t use the qualifying offer.
This season, in 26 starts for the Tigers and Dodgers, Skubal had a 2.72 ERA with 186 strikeouts and a 12-7 record. While not a Cy Young-caliber season, the overall production from Skubal this year is more than good enough to warrant such a massive deal.
This $360 million, nine-year contract prediction from Reuter is a massive one, but it’s also very possible. It could be a bit more, or a bit less, but a $40 million per-year deal over nine seasons is well within the ballpark of Skubal’s outcomes this winter.
