The Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a blockbuster trade for Tarik Skubal before the trade deadline, but he will be a free agent when the season ends.
Skubal is the reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner. He could end up getting the biggest free-agent pitching contract in MLB history, but with whispers of a lockout, free agency could be very different than in years past.
In recent years, big-ticket free agents have taken their time making their decision and allowed teams to make multiple offers and pitches. The question is whether the threat of a lockout will force free agents to rush to sign.
"My read on it, from what I've been told by a very well-placed source, is that Skubal is going to wait for whatever deal makes sense for him," MLB insider Robert Murray said on "The Just Baseball Show." If that is before the lockout, that's fine. If it's after the lockout, that's fine. (Scott) Boras is going to take his time with this one. If he's healthy, it's going to be the biggest free-agent pitcher deal ever."
Skubal is the biggest name on the market this winter, and there are some reports that suggest that the Dodgers were his preferred destination in free agency anyway. However, if owners think a salary cap will be approved, they may hesitate to make a huge offer to Skubal.
Even if Skubal wants to sign before the lockout, it may not be up to him. He may not get many lucrative offers until the new collective bargaining agreement is approved.
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