Tarik Skubal

Toronto’s payroll has doubled over the last five years, jumping into the top five in the league the last two. The Jays will need to go far higher still to land Skubal, but they did gain some room with the long-term deals of Kevin Gausman and George Springer now off the books. Skubal is also currently slated to meet with the Mets, Dodgers and Padres.

No date yet, but the Dodgers clearly won’t be sitting out Skubal’s free agency, even though they’re already looking at a luxury tax payroll of over $380 million next year.

Many seem to think the Mets, facing big pressure to improve after finishing in last place in the NL East, are the favorites to sign Skubal. Of course, it’s still very early there, but Skubal, who is seeking the biggest contract ever for a pitcher, might have more incentive than other free agents to sign before a new CBA perhaps changes the landscape.

What better way for a new ownership group to make an immediate splash than by signing the most accomplished starting pitcher to hit the open market in recent memory. Morosi previously reported that San Diego was among the most active teams this offseason in pursuing starting pitching upgrades. They have multiple spots to fill with Michael King, Casey Mize, Nick Pivetta, Robbie Ray and Walker Buehler all currently free agents. It’s worth noting that The New York Post’s Jon Heyman told MLB Network earlier on Monday that the Mets are “probably the favorite” to sign Skubal. All indications are that the 29-year-old two-time Cy Young Award winner will choose his next destination before the lockout commences on December 1.

Sharma reports that the Cubs have been reluctant to match teams like the Mets and Dodgers when it comes to free agent spending, especially with pitchers, so Skubal is an unrealistic target, but “they will at least check in on every other free-agent pitcher.” That would certainly be warranted because the Cubs have one healthy pitcher with starting experience on their roster right now, and it’s Javier Assad. Justin Steele will be coming back from injury, and Edward Cabrera could move back into the rotation, but the Cubs need a few more arms. It’s just unlikely that Skubal is one of them.

This will be the case for many free agents, who will look to lock in multi-year contracts before a new collective bargaining agreement may change the financial landscape of the league. Skubal is likely the number one option on the market, and Passan reports that the Dodgers, Mets, and Cubs are all highly interested in the left-hander, but that the Cubs “are skeptical that they will be willing to compete at the sort of dollars Skubal is expected to get.”

Even with their backs against the wall, Roberts maintained confidence when asked if his star hurlers would be available out of the bullpen on Thursday, saying, “No. ... Our bullpen is rested, very, very capable. You’ve still got to win four, but obviously you’ve got to win one first, and I completely understand that. But the short answer, no.” It’s possible that the calculus could change if the Dodgers get down early in Game 4, but for now he appears to have full faith in Tyler Glasnow and his rested bullpen.

Skubal was excellent over the first three innings, but allowed a solo homer to Brice Turang that tied the game in the fourth, and a go-ahead single to Luis Lara in the fifth. The southpaw struck out seven in the contest against two walks, and allowed five hits. It was far from a poor effort from Skubal, but it’s fair to say we’ve seen the ace look better. It seems unlikely this will be the last time we see Skubal on the mound for Los Angeles, as he could be available for Game 4 or start Game 5 on regular rest.

That was the expectation all along, but it has now been confirmed. Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start in Game 2 with Blake Snell expected to start in Game 3. Skubal delivered a dominant performance in his Dodgers’ postseason debut, striking out seven batters over six innings of one-run ball in a victory over the Braves in Game 1 of the NLDS.

Skubal offered a reminder of why he was the most coveted pitcher available at the trade deadline, delivering a dominant performance in his Los Angeles playoff debut. The 29-year-old impending free agent retired 15 consecutive batters following a leadoff single to Drake Baldwin, carrying a shutout into the sixth inning before Sean Murphy connected for a solo homer that represented the lone run against him. He threw 94 pitches (64 strikes) and allowed just four baserunners over six impressive frames. He figures to get the ball for a decisive Game 5 of the best-of-five series if it gets that far.

No surprises here, especially as the Braves have had more difficulty with left-handers this season. Skubal made 10 starts for the Dodgers following the mid-season trade from the Tigers, going 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 70/13 K/BB ratio across 62 innings of work. He has been brilliant in his postseason career as well, posting a 2.04 ERA and 0.73 WHIP with a 56/6 K/BB ratio in just 39 2/3 frames.

Not only did Skubal blank the Giants and reach double-digit strikeouts, he needed just 75 pitches to do it. The final tune-up before the playoff push couldn’t have gone much better, as he allowed just three hits — all singles — and didn’t issue a walk. Skubal will likely start Game 2 of the NLDS, but that’s more compliment to Yoshinobu Yamamoto than insult to him.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Skubal will start Friday’s series opener against the Giants. The 29-year-old fantasy ace draws an extremely favorable matchup against a borderline Triple-A lineup for his final regular-season outing. He’ll presumably get the ball after Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Los Angeles’ second playoff contest.

It’s an extremely favorable spot for fantasy purposes as the Giants are basically rolling out a glorified Triple-A lineup at this point of the season. Skubal has been away from the Dodgers on bereavement leave for the last few days. He’ll make his final regular-season start later this week.

He’ll be away from the team for a few days but isn’t expected to miss a start. Emmet Sheehan was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move on Sunday to add a fresh arm capable of working multiple innings to the Dodgers’ bullpen.

Skubal gave up eight hits, walked two and struck out three against a pretty awful lineup, but he got the dub anyway. It’s his first time allowing more than three runs in nine starts for the Dodgers. He’ll face the Giants again on Friday or Saturday.

Skubal gave up only three singles and walked one in his first scoreless start for the Dodgers. He’s 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA and a 45/7 K/BB in 39 innings over his last six starts. He’ll face the Giants next time out.

There are plenty of ifs here, especially given that there still appears to be a real chance there will be a salary cap. Passan also mentions that last time the MLB went into a lockout, there was a flurry of activity before the CBA expired. “A deal of that magnitude would presumably be for at least a decade -- the sort of commitment teams might balk at because of his age. But someone is going to pay an exorbitant amount for his services,” Passan writes.

Skubal had gotten through two scoreless frames against the Reds before Elly De La Cruz took him deep for a two-run blast in the third. He’d recover nicely, settling in to pitch into the eighth without allowing another run while collecting five strikeouts. The 29-year-old left-hander will take a 2.84 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 164/24 K/BB ratio across 139 2/3 innings into a start against the Reds in Cincinnati next Tuesday.

Dodgers analyst Jessica Mendoza believed Skubal was tipping his changeup tonight, so that might be something to look out for. Still, all 10 hits Skubal allowed were singles, and he more than held his own in ending up with six strikeouts and one walk. He’ll face the Reds next week.