Man, that NLCS sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers, getting taken out in just four games? Brutal for the Dodgers. But believe it or not, things might get even tougher for them this offseason, especially when you look at the pitching staff. The biggest question mark on the mound, Tarik Skubal, could be heading out the door, and it’s all thanks to something way bigger than player performance.
Why a Lockout Could Shatter the Dodgers’ Pitching Plans
According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, the Dodgers are facing a massive hurdle when it comes to re-signing Skubal. The real kicker here is the potential MLB lockout looming in December. Gonzalez is flat-out predicting, “The Dodgers won’t sign Skubal to a mega extension…before Dec. 1.” Why? Because Skubal’s agent, Scott Boras, is definitely going to want to get something done for his guy before a lockout hits. But it’s nearly impossible for the Dodgers to justify signing Skubal to a massive deal without knowing what MLB’s economic model is going to look like. Think about it: a potential lockout means the future of MLB’s payroll system, salary caps, and new payroll restrictions are all up in the air. The Dodgers, who already have the highest projected payroll for 2027 by a wide margin, just can’t afford another $300 million-plus deal, which is exactly what Skubal is expected to command. It’s a tricky situation, and that uncertainty means they’ll likely refrain from adding Skubal on a long-term deal this offseason.
If Skubal Walks, Who’s Scooping Up That $300 Million Arm?
Gonzalez is pretty firm in his prediction: no contract extension for Skubal before December 1 and the potential lockout. If that happens, it would absolutely pave the way for the Dodgers to lose Skubal on the open market. And you know what that means, right? Other top contenders with money to spare are going to be circling. We’re talking about teams like the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres, who would suddenly have a real shot at landing a premier arm like Skubal. The Dodgers’ lineup is coming back, sure, but after getting swept, they know they need to make moves to fix things, not lose key pieces.
This is a total high-wire act for the Dodgers. They need to fix things after that NLCS flop, but if they can’t lock down Skubal because of MLB’s economic mess, that’s a huge blow to their rotation and their long-term plans. Everyone’s gonna be glued to see what happens by December 1. Will the Dodgers gamble on a $300 million-plus deal, or watch one of their biggest pitching assets walk away to a rival like the Mets or Padres? Talk about high stakes, huh?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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