Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes talked with reporters Tuesday in Las Vegas, and added more to what the team is thinking as far as signing Tarik Skubal. Jacob Macofsky covered what he talked about in yesterday’s article.
Wednesday, Skubal’s agent Scott Boras spoke with reporters and laid out more details about his client that is this year’s biggest free agent on the market.
“Much like 2021, there’s a clear intent on a group of players, and we have no reservations by any teams that they’re going
to operate within their abilities and freedoms because they want they don’t want to lose to their competitors,” Boras told reporters. “They want the market to be what it is for them, and they’re utilizing their rights to compete. I think they’re very concerned about losing the opportunity to sign select, key players, and they’re pursuing it aggressively.”
Maddie Lee of the L.A. Times covers this and more of what Boras said about his highly sought after client, and what the Dodgers pitching staff needs and doesn’t necessarily need heading into the 2027 season (should there be one).
Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic also covers what else Boras is thinking in terms of the offseason and the possible impending lockout, and how in typical Boras fashion the news conference was a spectacle unto itself. The place that Boras’ team had picked to hold his annual press gaggle was not sanctioned by ARIA hotel, and thusly was moved to a different location.
According to Stavenhagen, Boras strongly hinted that Skubal would sign before the impending lockout, as did his clients Marcus Semien and Corey Seager in 2021-22 before that season’s lockout.
“I think they’re very concerned about losing the opportunity to sign select key players, and they are pursuing it aggressively,” Boras said.
One pitcher who will definitely be on the team next season is Shohei Ohtani, but when he will first pitch for the Dodgers is not certain. As Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic discusses, the team is not sure when the two-way player will return to the mound. Brandon Gomes had this to say about Ohtani –
“Whatever it is, there’s just a lot of different avenues, and I think for us to unilaterally decide that doesn’t make sense. So it’s really bringing him into the conversation and figuring out how to navigate a full season.”
Lots to be decided in the coming weeks and months as the Dodgers look to reclaim the top spot in MLB from the Milwaukee Brewers.
