The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to pursue free-agent pitcher Tarik Skubal with a shorter-term contract that carries a high average annual value rather than a lengthy, record-breaking guarantee, according to reports.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner joined the Dodgers in a trade with the Detroit Tigers midway through the 2026 season. He is now an unrestricted free agent after that stint.
Los Angeles clearly prefers to keep the left-hander. The club is not expected to break the bank on total years and money, however.
The Athletic’s Katie Woo reported that any offer would likely follow the structure used for outfielder Kyle Tucker.
“A potential offer for Skubal would likely mirror a similar structure to Kyle Tucker’s four-year, $240 million deal, which set a record for AAV and includes two player opt-outs,” Woo wrote. “It remains to be seen whether Skubal would entertain such an offer, and if he’d be willing to leave guaranteed years on the table for a high AAV.”
Tucker signed that four-year pact last offseason after turning down a longer offer from the Toronto Blue Jays.
A comparable four-year, $240 million agreement would average roughly $60 million per season for Skubal.
That annual figure would make him the highest-paid starting pitcher by average annual value entering 2027.
It would top Zack Wheeler’s $42 million AAV with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Skubal went 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 10 regular-season starts for the Dodgers. For the full 2026 season he finished 12-7 with a 2.72 ERA, 186 strikeouts and a 0.96 WHIP across 158 2/3 innings.
The Athletic’s Tim Britton projects Skubal to land a nine-year, $405 million contract this winter as the top free agent available.
Other clubs expected to pursue him include the Baltimore Orioles, the New York Mets and both Chicago teams.
The Mets appear to be the primary competition. Their entire offseason is said to hinge on signing the ace, and they have already arranged a meeting with him.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes confirmed the team has contacted Skubal’s representatives and plans to meet in the near future.
“We’ve been in touch with his camp, and our expectation is we’ll meet at some point,” Gomes said.
Skubal must weigh a shorter high-AAV deal that could keep him on a contender against a longer pact that maximizes total guaranteed money.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto currently holds the largest pitcher contract in total value with his 12-year, $325 million deal signed by the Dodgers.
The market for top starters is expected to develop quickly before a potential lockout.
