The biggest name on the free-agent market is two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Chicago Cubs, who need starting pitching, are projected to be in the battle.
However, the Cubs are being careful, per Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. In other words, they will be vying for other pitchers on the market, who have some solid numbers. As a result, they won't fight for Skubal.
Also, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets are battling over Skubal, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. A year after breaking the arbitration record, Skubal is expected to eclipse the free agent record for a pitcher. A record once held by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who signed a $325 million contract two years ago.
The Dodgers are the favorites to re-sign Skubal. Meanwhile, the Mets are next in line with $244.4 million to their name.
At the same time, MLB could head toward a lockout if the players' association and the owners don't agree on the salary cap.
As for the Cubs, USA Today argues that they will be “in play” for Skubal. According to them, Cubs GM Jed Hoyer will use the White Sox making the postseason and the Brewers winning the World Series as the catalyst.
Article Continues BelowThe Cubs have lost five free agent starters. Plus, they'll look at Michael King, Freddy Peralta, and others to boost their pitching rotation. They exited the playoffs early to the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card series.
Skubal finished the season at 12-7 with a 2.73 ERA and 186 strikeouts.