Free agency officially kicked off, and the Dodgers are already on the clock, scrambling to fortify their roster before a potential lockout hits. But it is not just about bringing new talent in. One of baseball’s biggest names has the league talking about his future form.
The Skubal Sweepstakes: Dodgers In A Fight For Top Arm
Left-hander Tarik Skubal is the hottest commodity on the free agent market right now, and the Dodgers are absolutely in the thick of it. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the New York Mets are ready to go toe-to-toe with the Dodgers for the highest offer. Oh, and the Chicago Cubs? They want Skubal “badly,” but let’s be real, are they truly willing to throw down the kind of cash Skubal is expected to command, like well over $300 million, maybe even soaring into the $400 million-plus range? Probably not. These are the kind of numbers that make you shake your head.
Despite the hefty price tag and the fierce competition, Alden Gonzalez, also from ESPN, is actually pretty optimistic Skubal will stick with Los Angeles for 2027 and beyond. Skubal seriously seemed to love his two-and-a-half months in Dodger blue. He was all about the culture, especially being surrounded by so many established veterans laser-focused on winning. He even became “besties” with Blake Snell, was “awed” by the organization’s resources, and honestly, he just looked like he belonged. Buster Olney, another ESPN insider, chimed in, suggesting Skubal’s deal will probably look more like Kyle Tucker’s current deal with the Dodgers rather than the monster record-setter Yoshinobu Yamamoto got. It is going to be a wild ride watching this play out.
Ohtani’s Postseason Statement: A Glimpse of the MVP?
After two fantastic seasons rocking Dodger blue, where he was still the reigning two-time NL MVP, Shohei Ohtani hit a rough patch in 2026. He was mired in a power drought in the second half and beyond, which actually made him, get this, “obsolete” in the starting lineup. Can you even imagine that? Shohei Ohtani, obsolete. But then, in a moment that felt like pure movie magic, he stepped up and blasted a towering three-run home run. That shot gave the Dodgers their final runs of the 2026 postseason.
MLB.com’s David Adler believes that Game 4 NLCS homer could be exactly what Ohtani needs to get his hitting back on track before the 2027 season kicks off. When you see Ohtani connecting with the ball with that kind of bat speed, it means his swing is locked in. Are we overanalyzing one single home run? Maybe. But you know what? We are going with Adler here. That one homer feels like a “harbinger” of what is coming next year: the full-throttle return of MVP-level Ohtani. Let’s hope so.
Free agency is just getting started, and the Dodgers have some massive decisions to make regarding Skubal, but the real storyline unfolding for 2027 is the potential resurgence of Shohei Ohtani. Will we see him dominate like an MVP again? The anticipation for next season is already through the roof.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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