The Dodgers just watched their postseason run end from the dugout in Game 4 of the NLCS on Thursday night, and for ace left-hander Tarik Skubal, that elimination means his next stop is hitting the open market this offseason. Get ready, baseball, because the biggest free agent out there is about to shake things up, even if he’s not talking about it yet.
Skubal’s Playoff Grind And Unbelievable Comeback
Man, you gotta feel for Skubal right now. He just saw his deepest playoff run ever come to a screeching halt, even though he’s been absolute nails in October. We’re talking three straight playoff appearances for this guy, an insane 2.13 ERA across eight playoff starts. His teams just haven’t been able to seal the deal, hitting the ALDS with the Tigers in both 2024 and 2025, and now the NLCS with the Dodgers. The trip to the NLCS this year was the deepest he’s ever been in the playoffs.
This dude isn’t just a playoff warrior, either. Tarik Skubal is a back-to-back AL Cy Young winner from 2024 and 2025. That’s elite company. This season was a wild ride for the 29-year-old. He battled through a pitching elbow injury that needed NanoScope surgery, but he bounced back unbelievably fast, only missing starts between April 29 and June 13. He threw nine more starts after that, but the Tigers, sitting just 2 ½ games out of a playoff spot, decided to deal him to the Dodgers rather than risk losing their ace for nothing in free agency. They snagged top prospect Zyhir Hope in the trade, a smart move for them looking long term.
A Monster Contract On Hold? The CBA Mess Is Real
Across both teams this year, Skubal put up some serious numbers: 26 starts, a 12-7 record with a 2.72 ERA (155 ERA+), a 0.96 WHIP, and 186 strikeouts over 158 2/3 innings. His 4.6 WAR was a bit down from his incredible 6.7 and 6.4 WAR seasons before, but hey, he made five fewer starts this year thanks to that injury. Even with the elbow surgery in his rearview mirror, a pitcher of Skubal’s caliber would usually be looking at a contract deep into the mid-nine-figure range. We’re talking generational money.
But here’s the kicker, the one no one wants to talk about right now: the Collective Bargaining Agreement. That thing is expiring, and ownership is pushing hard for a salary cap. This isn’t just any offseason, it’s a winter of insecurity. Skubal’s monster deal might actually have to wait until the two sides iron out a new CBA and teams know what their financial landscape looks like. Or, maybe some super aggressive team out there tries to get his deal grandfathered in under the current CBA. It’s a total wild card, and nobody knows how this is gonna play out.
For now, Skubal’s head is squarely where it should be after a tough playoff exit: “Today sucks, you know, and that’s kind of where my head’s at.” You can’t blame him for that. He’s probably not thinking about dollar signs right now. But soon enough, his future is going to become the hottest topic in baseball, and it’s going to be fascinating to watch how it all unfolds in this uncertain market.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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