How much do the Dodgers need to re-sign Skubal?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are weighing whether to pursue free-agent ace Tarik Skubal, who is expected to command a record-breaking contract. Acquired from Detroit as a rental ahead of the Trade Deadline, Skubal went 12-7 with a 2.72 ERA in 26 starts during his walk year. While both Skubal and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expressed mutual admiration following the NLCS, negotiations will depend on how aggressively Los Angeles pursues a reunion on the open market.

MLB.com notes that while starting pitching is not an acute need given the Dodgers' extensive rotation depth—including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani—injuries and workload management could make Skubal a stabilizing force. MLB.com concludes that although other franchises may have a greater need for frontline pitching, the opportunity to secure a two-time Cy Young Award winner could still drive the Dodgers to pursue a permanent deal.