“Don’t See the Dodgers Shelling Out a Long-Term Mega Contract for Tarik Skubal” – Dodgers Insider Explains Why Kyle Tucker-like Deal Is The Way to Go

The Athletic’s Katie Woo discussed Tarik Skubal’s free agency and how the 2025 World Series champions could land the two-time AL Cy Young winner despite competition from other suitors. On the Foul Territory podcast, Woo explained how the team’s president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, has negotiated short-term contracts since last offseason, offering clues about the kind of deal Skubal might receive. She said it could be similar to the contract Kyle Tucker signed last season. “I don’t see the Dodgers shelling out a long-term mega contract for Tarik Skubal for the same reasons they didn’t do for Kyle Tucker. Andrew Friedman wants to prolong that team’s competitive window, and the Dodgers over the last year or so have strayed from those mega contracts,” Woo said. “But they are able, if they continue to operate as currently constructed, to really ramp up the AAV. So could we see a similar structure to what the Dodgers offered Kyle Tucker, a shorter term, four or five years, and a much higher AAV as their option? That’s certainly the thought process going into the GM meetings,” she added. Tucker was awarded a staggering four-year, $240 million contract by LA last offseason as the team aimed to bolster their roster in an attempt at a three-peat; however, they fell short at the NLCS. Skubal went 12-7 in 2026, splitting the season between the Tigers and LA. He was 1-1 in the postseason, starting the opening games of the NLDS and NLCS. He finished with a 2.72 ERA, 186 strikeouts, and a 0.96 WHIP. Although his stats fell short of those he posted over the previous two years in Detroit, Skubal still had a strong season, leading analysts to believe he could command one of the highest pitching contracts in MLB history this offseason. ESPN’s Buster Olney on Tarik Skubal’s free agency On his podcast Baseball Tonight , ESPN’s Buster Olney said Skubal could be given a short-term contract along the lines of what was offered to Kyle Tucker last offseason. “I had one agent predict to me that they are gonna kind of do… It’s going to be more Kyle Tucker-type structure, like six times 60, which would set a record by far,” Olney said. While LA remains in the running to sign Skubal this offseason, big-spending teams such as the Yankees, Mets, Phillies, and Padres, along with potential dark horses like the Tigers, White Sox, and Angels, are also pursuing the generational talent represented by super agent Scott Boras. Also read: “This Is a Little Different From Juan Soto” – NY Radio Host Points Out One Major Reason Tarik Skubal May Reject Mets “Tarik Skubal Is Almost 30” – Yankees Analyst Warns NY Against Bidding War With Dodgers and Mets College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis , college football , men’s college basketball , women’s college basketball , and college baseball !